RESUMEN
PROBLEM: Fetal implantation enhances the production of essential growth factors such as LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor), hence we investigated the contribution of maternal CD4 cells, activated by paternal or trophoblast antigens and its modulation by VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) and progesterone. METHOD OF STUDY: We performed co cultures of trophoblast cells (Swan-71 cell line) or paternal antigens and PBMCs from patients with recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) and fertile women. RESULT: Fertile-CD4(+) LIF(+) cells were increased by VIP and progesterone in response to paternal and trophoblast antigens. Also MMP-9 activity was decreased and pSTAT3/STAT3 ratio was increased. RSA patients have decreased levels of LIF expression which could not be modulated by VIP and progesterone and displayed a reduced number of endometrial infiltrated CD4(+) LIF(+) cells compared with fertile women. CONCLUSION: The decrease of CD4(+) LIF(+) cells in RSA patients could be related with the exacerbated inflammatory response observed in the maternal-fetal dialogue model.
