The Role of IL-2 and Rheumatoid Factor in Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

3 Abstract: It has been postulated that of repeated pregnancy losses in part may be due to immune causes. This research was carried out as case control study on fifty-six women with three or more RSA history (Group I) and sixty-three healthy women who have had no abortion history (Group II). Sera were examined for the presence of IL-2 and RF. Two out of 56 women in group I had IL-2 in serum. None of the women in group II showed IL-2 in serum. Also, 53.5% women in group I and 6.4% women in group II were positive for RF in different titers (P=0.002). Our finding shows that serum IL-2 concentration dose not affects pregnancy outcome. We recommend that the role of RF in pregnancy outcome should be considered. Recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) are still a This research was carried out as case control study frequent reproductive problem worldwide, with three or on two different groups referred to Yazd Research and more affecting 1% to 2% of women of reproductive age Clinical Centre for Infertility. Group I consisted of fifty-six (1). Despite several well established etiologic factors, the women with three or more RSA history and group II cause of RSA cannot be determined in almost 50% of the consisted of sixty-three healthy women who have had no cases. It has been postulated that a part of these repeated abortion history with at least one successful pregnancy. pregnancy losses may be related to immune causes (2). Aborter samples were normal in karyotype, TORCH The response of T helper (Th) cells following activation negative and had no anatomical or endocrine problems. is characterized functionally according to the cytokines All cases were primary RSA. Blood samples (5 ml) was they produce. Th1 cells secrete mainly interleukin (IL)-2, collected and as well as information for variables such as interferon (IFN)- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- (3). age, number of abortions, gestational age at the last IL-2 figures prominently among cytokines that are abortion for RSA women, also number of pregnancy for particularly determined to the survival of the conceptus. control women were provided The Local Institutional The administration of IL-2 into the pregnant mice causes Review Board approved the experimental procedures, and abortion (4). Rhumatoid Factors (RF) is antibodies that signed informed consent was obtained from each recognize the Fc portion of IgG molecules as their woman. Sera were examined for the presence of IL-2 antigens; RFs can be of any immunoglobulin isotype according to manufacture's instructions (Bender (IgM, IgG, IgE). Most of the RFs measured clinically are medsystem GmbH, Vienna, Austeria). The sensivity of IgM RFs (5). In the general (health) population, the IL-2 assay was 3.5Pg ml . RF (anti-human frequency of RF positive individuals ranges from 1.3-4% immunoglobulin) was determined by latex agglutination in Caucasians to 30% in some tribes of North Americans test and the presence of agglutination was considered Indians (6). The small subset of B cells that express CD5 positive. known as B-1a cells, appear to produce RF (7). Many studies have illustrated the essential role of T cells in the RESULTS