Pregnancy alters the circulating B cell compartment in atopic asthmatic women, and transitional B cells are positively associated with the development of allergy manifestations in their progeny. (25th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martins, Catarina; Lima, Jorge; Nunes, Glória; Borrego, Luís Miguel
• Is Part Of: American journal of reproductive immunology. Volume 76:Number 6(2016)
• Page Start: 465
• Page End: 474
• Publication Date: 2016-10-25
• Subjects: atopy -- B lymphocytes -- flow cytometry -- gestation -- human -- risk markers; Human reproduction -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; 616.69206
• DOI: 10.1111/aji.12595
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1046-7408

Abstract

Abstract : Problem: Maternal atopy is a risk factor for allergy. B cells are poorly studied in reproduction and atopy. We aimed to assess how pregnancy affects B cells in atopic women and whether B cells relate to allergic manifestations in offspring. Method of study: Women with and without atopic asthma, pregnant and non‐pregnant were enrolled for the study, and circulating B cells were evaluated by flow cytometry, using CD19, CD27, CD38, IgD, and IgM. Results: Compared to healthy non‐pregnant, atopic asthmatic non‐pregnant (ANP) women presented increased B cell counts, enlarged memory subsets, less transitional cells, and plasmablasts. Atopic asthmatic pregnant (AP) and healthy pregnant (HP) women showed similarities: reduced B cell counts and percentages, fewer memory cells, especially switched, and higher plasmablast percentages. Transitional B cell percentages were increased in AP women with allergic manifestations in their progeny. Conclusion: Atopic asthmatic non‐pregnant women have a distinctive B cell compartment. B cells change in pregnancy, similarly in AP and HP women. The recognition that AP women with allergy in their progeny have a typical immune profile may help, in the future, the adoption of preventive measures to avoid the manifestation of allergic diseases in their newborns.