Decidual memory T‐cell subsets and memory T‐cell stimulatory cytokines in early‐ and late‐onset preeclampsia

Problem Preeclampsia is a major cause of fetal and maternal mortality and morbidity. Disturbed fetal‐maternal immune tolerance, and therewith memory T cells, might be involved in its etiology. This study aims to give insight into memory T‐cell populations and its associated cytokines in the decidual layers in early‐onset preeclampsia (EO‐PE) and late‐onset preeclampsia (LO‐PE). Method of Study Lymphocytes were isolated from the decidua parietalis and basalis from EO‐PE (n = 6), LO‐PE (n = 8) and healthy (n = 15) pregnancies. CD4+ and CD8+ central‐ (CCR7+), effector‐ (CCR7−), tissue resident‐ (CD103+), and regulatory‐ (Foxp3+) memory cell (CD45RO+) populations and their activation status (CD69+) were analyzed using flow cytometry. qRT‐PCR analysis was performed on decidua parietalis and basalis biopsies to detect mRNA expression of interferon‐gamma, interleukin‐1B, IL2, IL6, IL7, IL8, IL10, IL15, and IL23. Results CD4+ central‐memory (CM) cell proportions were lower in the decidua parietalis in LO‐PE (P