Changes in plasma soluble CD26 and CD30 during pregnancy: Markers of Th1/Th2 balance?

The theory that the Th1 and Th2 cell ratio shifts towards Th2 dominance dur ing pregnancy may improve fetal survival has gained support from recent stu dies. Also, the variation in the Th1/Th2 cell ratio is reportedly associate d with intrauterine growth retardation and preeclampsia. On the basis of th ese findings, the analysis of the Th1/Th2 balance may be useful in predicti ng severe complications during pregnancy. However, simple methods for the a nalysis of Th1/Th2 balance are presently not available. Recently, it has be en reported that regulation of CD26 cell surface expression correlates with the production of Th1-like cytokines. On the other hand, previous studies proposed that the sCD30 molecule is an activation marker useful for evaluat ion of a Th2 immune response. It is, therefore, possible that the analysis of the Th1/Th2 balance during pregnancy by measuring plasma sCD26 and sCD30 simultaneously is a simple and useful method. We herein demonstrate that c ombined analysis of sCD26 and sCD30 is a potent surrogate tool to evaluate the Th1/Th2 balance during pregnancy. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Base l.