Detection of T lymphocyte subsets and related functional molecules in follicular fluid of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Sci Rep. 2019 Apr 15;9(1):6040. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-42631-x.

Abstract

Immune responses play an important role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the characteristics of T lymphocyte subsets in PCOS remain insufficiently understood. In this study, lymphocytes of follicular fluid (FF) were obtained from oocyte retrieval before in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in infertile women with or without PCOS. The levels of cluster of differentiation 25 (CD25), CD69, programmed death 1 (PD-1), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and IL-10 in T lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry. Our results showed that the percentage of FF CD8+ T cells was significantly decreased in infertile patients with PCOS (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the levels of CD69 and IFN-γ were significantly decreased and the level of PD-1 was increased in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from infertile patients with PCOS (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of PD-1 on CD4+ or CD8+ T cells was positively correlated with the estradiol (E2) levels in the serum and reversely correlated with the expression of IFN-γ in CD4+ or CD8+ T cells in infertile patients with PCOS. These results suggested that T cell dysfunction may be involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / analysis
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro
  • Follicular Fluid / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / complications
  • Infertility, Female / immunology
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / analysis
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / immunology
  • Lectins, C-Type / analysis
  • Lectins, C-Type / immunology
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / complications
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • CD69 antigen
  • Cytokines
  • IL2RA protein, human
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Lectins, C-Type