Peripheral Gamma Delta T cells secrete inflammatory cytokines in women with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss

Bacicground: Gamma delta (gamma delta) T cells are known to link innate and adaptive immunity. Decidual yS T cells are known to provide immunotolerance by producing IL-10 and TGF-beta. In recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) females, the role of peripheral gamma delta T cells remain unstudied. Objective: To investigate the different phenotypes of gamma delta T cells in the peripheral blood of women with idiopathic RPL and their possible involvement in RPL condition. Methods: A total of 120 women were recruited for the study. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated and they were stained with appropriate antibodies to determine the phenotype of gamma delta T cells and major cytokines produced by them in the blood using flow cytometry. Results: We observed a significant decrease in the proportion of CD31-CD4 CD8-gamma delta T cells (p < 0.001) and increase in the percentage of IFN-gamma (p < 0.05) and IL-17 (p < 0.001) producing gamma delta T cells in RPL pregnant as compared to normal pregnant females. Conclusion: Increase in IFN-gamma and IL-17-producing CD3 CD4-CD8 gamma delta T cells is associated with creating inflammatory cytokine milieu, thereby, may contribute towards pregnancy loss in RPL females.