Lymphocyte Immunotherapy Changed the Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg Balance in Patients with Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

Background: Lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT) is regarded as an efficacious treatment for unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA), but its mechanism remains controversial. T cells play an important role in maternal-fetal immune regulation. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate the proportions of T helper (Th)1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells, as well as the change in the Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg balance in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion treated with lymphocyte immunotherapy and who had subsequent successful pregnancies.Methods: Flow cytometry was used to characterize the population and proportion of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg balance in 38 patients before and after immunotherapy.Results: The percentage of Th1 cells increased significantly after immunotherapy in patients with URSA (14.96 & PLUSMN; 6.57%), when compared to pretreatment (12.98 & PLUSMN; 7.13%) (p < 0.01), and patients with URSA and LIT and having successful pregnancies (before: 13 & PLUSMN; 7.52%, after: 15.25 & PLUSMN; 6.89%; p < 0.01), while the Th1/Th2 balance decreased significantly (8.37 & PLUSMN; 4.14), when compared to pretreatment (14.08 & PLUSMN; 12.04) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the proportion of Th1 and Th2 cells was significantly higher in the successful pregnant group, whereas the Th17/Treg balance in patients with URSA did not exhibit significant changes between before LIT (0.39 & PLUSMN; 0.25) and after LIT (0.33 & PLUSMN; 0.23), but decreased significantly in successful pregnancy after LIT (0.29 & PLUSMN; 0.17), when compared to before LIT (0.38 & PLUSMN; 0.25). Conclusions: LIT may alter the Th1/Th2 and the Th17/Treg balance, ensuring successful pregnancy.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT) in the treatment of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). The results showed that the proportion of Th1 cells increased significantly after LIT and the Th1/Th2 balance decreased significantly. Additionally, the proportion of Th1 and Th2 cells was significantly higher in patients with successful pregnancies, while the Th17/Treg balance decreased in successful pregnancy after LIT.