The development of pregnancy is possible due to initiation of immune response in the body of the mother resulting in immune tolerance. Miscarriage may be caused by the impaired maternal immune response to paternal alloantigens located on the surface of trophoblast and fetal cells. The aim of the study was to compare the population of circulating dendritic cells (DCs) and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (TREGs) in the first trimester of a normal pregnancy and in women with recurrent miscarriage and an attempt to determine the relationship between these cells and the role they may play in human reproductive failures. The study was conducted in a group of 33 first trimester pregnant women with recurrent miscarriage and in a group of 20 healthy pregnant women in the first trimester of normal pregnancy. Among mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood, the populations of DCs and TREGs were assessed by flow cytometry. The percentage of myeloid DCs and lymphoid DCs showed no significant difference between study and control group. Older maternal age and obesity significantly reduced the pool of circulating myeloid and lymphoid DCs (R=-0.39, p=0.02). In miscarriages the percentage of circulating TREGs was significantly lower compared to normal pregnancies (p=0.003). Among the analysed factors the percentage of TREGs was the most sensitive and the most specific parameter which correlated with the pregnancy loss. The reduction in the population of circulating TREGs suggests immunoregulatory mechanisms disorder in a pregnancy complicated by miscarriage.

The umbilical cord is the only connection between the mother and the fetus, through which it is possible to transport respiratory gases, nutrients, and metabolites. Thanks to the umbilical cord, the fetus has also the ability to move, which ...

The advantage in response of Th2 over Th1 is observed in normal pregnancy in peripheral blood. A disturbance of this balance can lead to symptoms of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in sera of women who were diagnosed with missed miscarriage in the first trimester and to compare this systemic immune response to the response in women with normal pregnancy. The study group consisted of 61 patients diagnosed with missed miscarriage. In total, 19 healthy women with uncomplicated first trimester created the control group. Cytokines were determined in the maternal serum by ELISA. The analysis included INF-γ, TNF-α, Il-1β, Il-4, Il-5, Il-6, Il-9, Il-10, Il-13 and TGF-β1. Th1 cytokine levels in the study group reached slightly higher values for INF-γ, Il-1β and slightly lower for IL-6 and TNF-α. In turn, Th2 cytokine levels in the study group were slightly higher (Il-9, Il-13), significantly higher (Il4, p = 0.015; Il-5, p = 0.0003) or showed no differences with the control group (Il-10). Slightly lower concentration involved only TGF-β1. Analysis of the correlation between levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines resulted in some discrepancies, without showing predominance of a specific immune response. The results did not confirm that women with missed miscarriage had an advantage in any type of immune response in comparison to women with normal pregnancy.

Background: Persistent right umbilical vein (PRUV) is usually an isolated finding but it may be accompanied by other fetal malformations.Aims: We aimed to determine the incidence of prenatally diagnosed PRUV in a referral population, assess the neonatal outcome and discuss the findings together with those from previous publications.Materials and methods: A total of 2360 women with low‐risk singleton pregnancies were examined in the second and third trimesters. A transabdominal convex volume transducer was used. B‐mode was applied in each patient. Scanning of the venous system included imaging of the target vessels with two‐dimensional colour Doppler mapping. The diagnosis of PRUV was made in a transverse section of the fetal abdomen. Three‐dimensional ultrasounds were performed as necessary, when anomalous cases were encountered.Results: The incidence of PRUV in our population was 12/2360 = 0.5%, and it was higher than in other retrospective studies. In 75% (n = 9), PRUV was an isolated finding where delivery was uneventful and the postnatal outcome was favourable. In two cases PRUV was accompanied by omphalocele, and in one case by tetralogy of Fallot and single umbilical artery.Conclusions: PRUV is an uncommon prenatal finding. Screening for this anomaly can be easily performed in all pregnant patients. A diagnosis of PRUV should be followed by a thorough fetal morphology scan in order to exclude any other malformations, especially those of the cardiovascular system.

Background/Objectives: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), including preeclampsia (PE), remains a significant cause of maternal and fetal morbidity. Immune imbalance involving T helper (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells is increasingly recognized as contributing to the pathogenesis of PIH. This study aimed to assess the proportions of Th17 and Treg cells and intracellular cytokine expression (IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22) in the peripheral blood of hypertensive versus normotensive pregnant women. Methods: A total of 108 pregnant women were included: 60 with hypertensive disorders and 48 normotensive controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed using multiparametric flow cytometry to quantify CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg and CD4+IL-17A+ Th17 cells, along with intracellular IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22 co-expression. Correlations with clinical and obstetric parameters were evaluated. Results: Hypertensive patients showed significantly increased proportions of activated Th17 cells (CD4+IL-17A+) and Th17 subpopulations co-expressing IL-17F and IL-22, as well as IL-21 and IL-22 (p < 0.0001). Although Treg cell percentages were lower in the hypertensive group, the difference was not statistically significant. A pronounced Th17/Treg imbalance was observed. Positive correlations were found between Th17 subpopulations and gestational age, birth weight, and length, as well as maternal age. Conclusions: The immune profile in hypertensive pregnancies was characterized by a shift toward Th17-mediated proinflammatory responses, supporting the role of immune dysregulation in PIH. The increased frequency of Th17 cells co-expressing IL-21 and IL-22 may serve as a potential biomarker of disease severity and warrants further exploration.

Introduction: Metagenomic research has allowed the identification of numerous viruses present in the human body. Viruses may significantly increase the likelihood of developing intrauterine fetal growth restriction (FGR). The goal of this study was to examine and compare the virome of normal and FGR placentas using proteomic techniques. Methods: The study group of 18 women with late FGR was compared with 18 control patients with physiological pregnancy and eutrophic fetus. Proteins from the collected afterbirth placentas were isolated and examined using liquid chromatography linked to a mass spectrometer. Results: In this study, a group of 107 viral proteins were detected compared to 346 in the controls. In total, 41 proteins were common in both groups. In total, 64 proteins occurred only in the study group and indicated the presence of bacterial phages: E. coli, Bacillus, Mediterranenean, Edwardsiella, Propionibacterium, Salmonella, Paenibaciilus and amoebae Mimiviridae, Acanthamoeba polyphaga, Mimivivirus, Pandoravirdae, Miroviridae, Pepper plant virus golden mosaic virus, pol proteins of HIV-1 virus, and proteins of Pandoravirdae, Microviridae, and heat shock proteins of the virus Faustoviridae. Out of 297 proteins found only in the control group, only 2 viral proteins occurred statistically significantly more frequently: 1/hypothetical protein [uncultured Mediterranean phage uvMED] and VP4 [Gokushovirus WZ-2015a]. Discussion: The detection of certain viral proteins exclusively in the control group suggests that they may play a protective role. Likewise, the proteins identified only in the study group could indicate a potentially pathogenic function. A virome study may be used to identify an early infection, evaluate its progress, and possible association with fetal growth restriction. Utilizing this technology, an individualized patient therapy is forthcoming, e.g., vaccines.