Human pregnancy is accompanied by modifications in B cell development and immunoglobulin profile

Though human pregnancy success has been classically linked with a shift into a Th2 immunoglobulin producing cell response, a clear picture concerning B cell development and immunoglobulin profile during human pregnancy is missing. We analyzed in this work the dynamic of different B cell populations in peripheral blood of pregnant women on the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy. As control, age-matched non-pregnant fertile women were included. Additionally, we quantified the levels of immunoglobulin (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM, IgA and IgE) in the serum of pregnant and non-pregnant women. We observed a significant decrease in the percentages of transitional B cells in peripheral blood of pregnant women as compared to non-pregnant control women. Besides, percentages of naïve as well as switched and non-switched memory B cells in peripheral blood of pregnant women were similar to those in non-pregnant control women. Interestingly, although we did not observe differences in the activation status of B cells as well as in the percentages of plasma cells between pregnant and non-pregnant women, we observed significantly higher levels of IgM, IgA, IgG3, more likely natural antibodies, as well IgG4 in serum of pregnant women compared to non-pregnant age matched control women.Fil: Ziegler, Katharina B.. University of Greifswald; AlemaniaFil: Muzzio, Damián Oscar. University of Greifswald; AlemaniaFil: Matzner, F.. University of Greifswald; AlemaniaFil: Bommer, Imke. University of Greifswald; AlemaniaFil: Malinowsky, K.. University of Greifswald; AlemaniaFil: Ehrhardt, Jens. University of Greifswald; AlemaniaFil: Ventimiglia, Maria Silvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Zygmunt, Marek. University of Greifswald; AlemaniaFil: Jensen, Cristian Federico. National University Arturo Jauretche; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentin