ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Immunophenotype of Peripheral T Lymphocytes, NK Cells and Expression of CD69 Activation Marker in Patients with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions, During the Mid-Luteal Phase

Problem  Determination of subpopulations of T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) and activation status, in peripheral blood during the mid-luteal phase from patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Method of study  Peripheral blood samples from non-pregnant women with RSA and normal multiparous were taken and evaluated for subpopulations of T lymphocytes: CD4, CD8, (‘naive-like’ and ‘memory-like’), TCR receptor (αβ and γδ), activation status by CD69+surface or intracellular/CD3+, and NK cells (CD16+/CD56dim/CD3−, CD16+/CD56 bright/CD3−, CD69+surface or intracellular/CD56+/CD3− cells). Results  The evaluation of T lymphocytes only showed an increase in the expression of CD69 (surface and intracellular) in the RSA group. Additionally, we observed an increase in the total NK cells, CD56+ NK cells percentages, CD56dim NK cells and CD69 NK cells in RSA group. Conclusion  These observations support the concept that immunological activation of T lymphocytes and NK cells could be involved in peripheral blood during the mid-luteal phase in patients with unexplained RSA.