Evaluation of umbilical cord immune cells in pregnancies with autoimmune disorders and/or methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms

Miray Sekkin Eser; Yesim Ulutas Ugur; Atakan Tanacan; Rumeysa Gurbuz Hekimoglu; Ayse Nur Cakar; Mehmet Sinan Beksac

doi:10.1515/jpm-2021-0593

Article

Evaluation of umbilical cord immune cells in pregnancies with autoimmune disorders and/or methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms

Miray Sekkin Eser , Yesim Ulutas Ugur , Atakan Tanacan , Rumeysa Gurbuz Hekimoglu , Ayse Nur Cakar and Mehmet Sinan Beksac

Published/Copyright: March 28, 2022

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From the journal Journal of Perinatal Medicine Volume 50 Issue 7

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate umbilical cord immune cells in pregnancies with autoimmune disorders (AID) and/or methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms.

Methods

Umbilical cords were obtained from seven AID women without MTHFR polymorphisms, eight with AID and MTHFR polymorphisms, nine with MTHFR polymorphisms, and eight with neither. Umbilical cords were assessed immunohistologcally by anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-CD14, anti-CD19, anti-CD21, and anti-CD56 antibodies in six umbilical cord zones: 1) arterial wall 2) periarterial zone 3) venous wall 4) perivenous zone 5) intervascular zone, and 6) subamniotic zone.

Results

AIDs and MTHFR polymorphisms had an effect on the number and composition of CD4+ cells in the venous wall. The presence of a MTHFR polymorphism may affect the number and morphology of CD4+ cells in the subamniotic zone. CD8+ cell distribution is substantially influenced by the presence of maternal risk factors. The co-existence of AID with MTHFR polymorphism has a prominent effect on the number and morphology of CD14+ cells, especially in the arterial wall. CD19+ cells were only observed in the control group in the venous wall, perivenous zone, and intervascular zone. CD21+ cells were only observed in the arterial wall of the control group and the intervascular zone of the AID group with different morphologic features. The number and morphology of CD56+ cells is prominently affected by the presence of maternal risk factors.

Conclusions

Umbilical cord stem cell and immune cell composition may be affected by the presence of risk factors like MTHFR polymorphisms and/or AID.

Keywords: autoimmunity; immune cells; MTHFR polymorphisms; pregnancy; umbilical cord

Corresponding author: Atakan Tanacan, Division of Perinatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey; and Perinatology Clinic, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, Phone: +905323530892, E-mail: atakantanacan@yahoo.com

Research funding: This study was supported by Hacettepe University’s scientific research fund (08 D07 101 014).
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission. MSE: Study design, data collection, manuscript writing, YUU: Manuscript writing, supervision, AT: Statistical analysis, review of the literature, manuscript writing, RGH: Data collection, interpretation of findings, manuscript writing, ANC: Supervision, manuscript writing, MSB: Critical review, study design, supervision, manuscript writing.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
Ethical approval: The research was conducted ethically in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of our institution and supported by Hacettepe University’s scientific research fund (08 D07 101 014).

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Received: 2021-11-12

Accepted: 2022-02-10

Published Online: 2022-03-28

Published in Print: 2022-09-27

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/jpm-2021-0593

Keywords for this article

autoimmunity; immune cells; MTHFR polymorphisms; pregnancy; umbilical cord