Publication: Phenotypic changes of γδ T cells in Plasmodium falciparum placental malaria and pregnancy outcomes in women at delivery in Cameroon

Publié dans: Frontiers in Immunology, 2024, 15, ⟨10.3389/fimmu.2024.1385380⟩

Auteurs: Chris Marco Mbianda Nana, Bodin Darcisse Kwanou Tchakounté, Bernard Marie Zambo Bitye, Balotin Fogang, Berenice Kenfack Tekougang Zangue, Reine Medouen Ndeumou Seumko’o, Benderli Christine Nana, Rose Gana Fomban Leke, Jean Claude Djontu, Rafael José Argüello, Lawrence Ayong, Rosette Megnekou

Résumé

Introduction: Depending on the microenvironment, gd T cells may assume characteristics similar to those of Th1, Th2, Th17, regulatory T cells or antigen presenting cells. Despite the wide documentation of the effect of Th1/Th2 balance on pregnancy associated malaria and outcomes, there are no reports on the relationship between gd T cell phenotype change and Placental Malaria (PM) with pregnancy outcomes. This study sought to investigate the involvement of gd T cells and its subsets in placental Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Methods: In a case-control study conducted in Yaoundé, Cameroon from March 2022 to May 2023, peripheral, placental and cord blood samples were collected from 50 women at delivery (29 PM negative: PM-and 21 PM positive: PM+; as diagnosed by light microscopy). Hemoglobin levels were measured using hemoglobinometer. PBMCs, IVBMCs and CBMCs were isolated using histopaque-1077 and used to characterize total gd T cell populations and subsets (Vd1 + , Vd2 + , Vd1 -Vd2 -) by flow cytometry.

Results: Placental Plasmodium falciparum infection was associated with significant increase in the frequency of total gd T cells in IVBMC and of the Vd1 + subset in PBMC and IVBMC, but decreased frequency of the Vd2 + subset in PBMC and IVBMC. The expression of the activation marker: HLA-DR, and the exhaustion markers (PD1 and TIM3) within total gd T cells and subsets were significantly up-regulated in PM+ compared to PM-group. The frequency of total gd T cells in IVBMC, TIM-3 expression within total gd T cells and subsets in IVBMC, as well as HLA-DR expression within total gd T cells and Vd2 + subset in IVBMC were negatively associated with maternal hemoglobin levels.

Lien vers HAL – amu-04743981

Lien vers le DOI – 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1385380