Role of Th-1 cell cytokines, leukemia inhibitory factor and hoxA genes in women with recurrent pregnancy loss

Abstract

Objective: Immunological problems have been identified as a potential cause of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Th-1 cell cytokines, leukemia inhibitory factor and hoxA genes in women with RPL. Materials & methods: A prospective, case-control study conducted in Assiut Women Health Hospital, Egypt included 37 women presented with a history of RPL. Samples of uterine flush and endometrial biopsy were taken during the implantation window from those confirmed as not pregnant. Cytokine (LIF and Th1 induced) levels were measured by ELISA, while hoxA10 and hoxA11 gene expression was evaluated by Taq-man Real Time PCR. Results: Higher cytokine mean levels were seen in the RPL group when compared to the control group (TNF-α and LIF cytokines, p ≤ 0.001; INF-γ and IL2 cytokines, p ≤ 0.01). The opposite was true with regards to gene expression, with lower means in both sets found in the RPL group (hoxA11, p ≤ 0.000). A statistically significant positive correlation between INF-γ and TNF-α, hoxA10 and hoxA11, as well as between LIF and hoxA11 was demonstrated. Conclusion: This study suggests that women with a history of RPL can have abnormal cytokine and gene expression even when not pregnant. Our findings can be a basis for providing of future successful immunological therapy for women with RPL.

Keywords

• Cytokines
• Gene expression
• Recurrent pregnancy loss
• Homeobox genes