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Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity and Antibody‐Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity to Herpes Simplex Virus‐Infected Cells in Human Pregnancy
Author(s) -
GONIK BERNARD,
LOO LIAM S.,
WEST STEWART,
KOHL STEVE
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology and microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 8755-8920
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1987.tb00084.x
Subject(s) - antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity , cytotoxicity , immunology , herpes simplex virus , biology , immune system , antibody , pregnancy , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , virus , virology , in vitro , biochemistry , genetics , monoclonal antibody
Natural killer cell (NKC) cytotoxicity and antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) represent the ability of human leukocyte effector cells to destroy target cells in the absence and presence of antibody, respectively. Since these immune systems play a pivotal role in the body's primary lines of defense against a variety of pathogens including herpes simplex virus (HSV), a study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of pregnancy on these systems. Eleven uncomplicated gravidas were followed serially through each trimester and compared to 11 nonpregnant female controls. Mononuclear cells were acquired by Ficoll‐Hypaque centrifugation of heparinized blood. Chang liver cells infected with HSV‐I were utilized as target cells in a 51 Cr release assay. Mean NKC values in the pregnant patients were uniformly lower than in the controls. No similar decreases in ADCC activity were observed in a comparison between the two study populations. These data support previous observations suggesting that pregnancy represents a relatively immunocompromised state. Differences apparently exist between NKC and ADCC effector cell populations with regard to the influence of pregnancy. Although these physiologic alterations in immunoregulation may help support the fetoplacental allograph, detrimental conditions may exist regarding susceptibility to various pathogens such as HSV.