AN OVERVIEW OF B CELL IMMUNOMODULATORY ROLE IN NORMAL PREGNANCY AND PREECLAMPSIA

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

2 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

Abstract

During pregnancy, the key determinant to pregnancy success is the response of the maternal immune system towards the semi-allogeneic fetus. The pregnant uterus produces numerous cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) that are of critical importance from an immune perspective due to their immunosuppressive properties. Specific B cells can have a regulatory function in addition to their humoral activity. Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a syndrome that arises in 4%–8% of pregnancies and defined as new-onset proteinuria and hypertension after 20 weeks gestation. PE is characterized by maternal endothelial dysfunction caused by circulating fetal-derived factors from the placenta. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 2020 described the diagnostic criteria of PE as elevated systolic blood pressure to 140 mm Hg or higher or elevated diastolic blood pressure to 90 mm Hg or higher measured at least 4 hours apart on two occasions after 20 weeks of gestation in a formerly normotensive woman. In the pathophysiology of PE, B cells are a major player. A number of studies have linked abnormal B cell numbers and functions to obstetric problems.

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