Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in the Amniotic Cavity of Women with Intra-Amniotic Infection: A New Mechanism of Host Defense

et al. 2018

American J Rep Immunol

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Problem The immune cellular composition of amniotic fluid is poorly understood. Herein, we determined the immunophenotype of amniotic fluid: 1) immune cells during the second and third trimester; 2) T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs); and 3) immune cells during intra-amniotic infection/inflammation. Method of Study Amniotic fluid samples (n=57) were collected from women from 15-40 weeks of gestation without intra-amniotic infection/inflammation. Samples from women with intra-amniotic infection/inflammation were also included (n=9). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy adults were used as controls (n=3). Immunophenotyping was performed using flow cytometry. Results In the absence of intra-amniotic infection/inflammation, the amniotic fluid contained several immune cell populations from 15-40 weeks. Among these immune cells: 1) T cells and ILCs were greater than B cells and NK cells between 15 to 30 weeks; 2) T cells were most abundant between 15 to 30 weeks; 3) ILCs were most abundant between 15 to 20 weeks; 4) B cells were scarce between 15 to 20 weeks; yet, they increased and were constant after 20 weeks; 5) NK cells were greater between 15 to 30 weeks than at term; 6) ILCs expressed high levels of RORγt, CD161, and CD103 (i.e. Group 3 ILCs); 7) T cells expressed high levels of RORγt; 8) neutrophils increased as gestation progressed; and 9) monocytes/macrophages emerged after 20 weeks and remained constant until term. All of the amniotic fluid immune cells, except ILCs, were increased in the presence of intra-amniotic infection/inflammation. Conclusions The amniotic fluid harbors a diverse immune cellular composition during normal and complicated pregnancies.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The immunophenotype of amniotic fluid leukocytes in normal and complicated pregnancies

Gomez‐Lopez

et al. 2018

American J Rep Immunol

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“…The critical nature of this period is exacerbated by Th 2 -skewed adaptive immunity [3, 4] and a reliance on transferred maternal antibodies [5], resulting in a dependence on innate immune mechanisms for protection [6, 7]. However, neonatal innate immune cells such as neutrophils [8–11], monocytes [12, 13], and dendritic cells [14] are also limited in their responses compared to adult cells. This immunosuppressed state has disadvantages such as predisposing newborns to severe infection and weakening their response to vaccination [2, 15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

CD71+ erythroid cells from neonates born to women with preterm labor regulate cytokine and cellular responses

Miller

Journal of Leukocyte Biology

Unkel

et al. 2018

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Neonatal CD71+ erythroid cells are thought to have immunosuppressive functions. Recently, we demonstrated that CD71+ erythroid cells from neonates born to women who underwent spontaneous preterm labor are reduced to levels similar to those of term neonates; yet, their functional properties are unknown. Herein, we investigated the functionality of CD71+ erythroid cells from neonates born to women who underwent spontaneous preterm or term labor. CD71+ erythroid cells from neonates born to women who underwent spontaneous preterm labor displayed a similar mRNA profile to that of those from term neonates. The direct contact between preterm or term neonatal CD71+ erythroid cells and maternal mononuclear immune cells, but not soluble products from these cells, induced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a reduction in the release of TGFβ. Moreover, PTL-derived neonatal CD71+ erythroid cells: 1) modestly altered CD8+ T cell activation; 2) inhibited conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell expansion; 3) suppressed the expansion of CD8+ regulatory T cells,; 4) regulated cytokine responses mounted by myeloid cells in the presence of a microbial product; and 5) indirectly modulated T-cell cytokine responses. In conclusion, neonatal CD71+ erythroid cells regulate neonatal T-cell and myeloid responses and their direct contact with maternal mononuclear cells induces a pro-inflammatory response. These findings provide insight into the biology of neonatal CD71+ erythroid cells during the physiologic and pathologic processes of labor.

Cellular immune responses in amniotic fluid of women with preterm clinical chorioamnionitis

Galaz

et al. 2020

Inflamm. Res.

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Objective: Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Some preterm births are associated with clinical chorioamnionitis; yet, this condition has been poorly investigated. Herein, we characterized the amniotic fluid cellular immune responses in women with preterm clinical chorioamnionitis.Methods and subjects: Amniotic fluid samples were obtained from women with preterm clinical chorioamnionitis and a positive or negative microbiological culture (n=17). The cellular composition of amniotic fluid was evaluated using fluorescence microscopy, scanning