High Body Mass Index is associated with an expansion of endometrial T Regulatory cell and macrophage populations

Magdalena Palacz; Kelton Tremellen

doi:10.1016/j.jri.2018.08.004

High Body Mass Index is associated with an expansion of endometrial T Regulatory cell and macrophage populations

J Reprod Immunol. 2018 Sep:129:36-39. doi: 10.1016/j.jri.2018.08.004. Epub 2018 Aug 4.

Authors

Magdalena Palacz¹, Kelton Tremellen²

Affiliations

¹ Repromed, 180 Fullarton Road, Dulwich, South Australia 5065, Australia.
² Repromed, 180 Fullarton Road, Dulwich, South Australia 5065, Australia; Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia. Electronic address: ktremellen@repromed.com.au.

PMID: 30098492
DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2018.08.004

Abstract

Obesity is associated with implantation failure, miscarriage, low-grade inflammation and a reduction in peripheral immune-suppressive T regulatory (Treg) cells. Therefore, we postulated that this reduction may also extend to the endometrium and cause embryonic loss. In a cohort of 40 infertile women, without implantation failure or recurrent miscarriage, we examined the density of Treg cells, macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells in mid-luteal endometrial biopsies. Significant positive correlations were observed between BMI and endometrial Treg cells and macrophages, but no relationship with NK cells. We postulate that this change may be a positive adaption to minimise adiposity related inflammation.

Keywords: BMI; Endometrial leukocyte; Implantation; Infertile; Macrophage; NK cell; Natural Killer cell; Obesity; T regulatory cell; Treg cell.

MeSH terms

Abortion, Spontaneous / immunology*
Adult
Body Mass Index*
Cell Proliferation
Cohort Studies
Embryo Implantation
Endometrium / immunology*
Female
Humans
Infertility, Female / immunology*
Inflammation / immunology*
Macrophages / immunology*
Obesity / immunology*
Pregnancy
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*