Toxoplasmosis and abortion: pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines gene expression of the host immune cells

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is known for inducing variable serious outcomes. In many previous studies, pregnancy was evaluated as a single event while in reality; it has different distinct immunological stages depending on gestational time and possible external factors as infectious agents. A state of immunological balance as well as a state of maternal-fetal tolerance should be established; otherwise, atypical unwelcomed outcomes might occur as a result of such infection This work aimed to study the gene expression profile of some pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in Toxoplasma seropositive cases All studied cytokines were significantly upregulated in group I, with a remarkable bias towards IFN-γ, denoting a predominant inflammatory state in group I. In group II; tested cytokines were approximately in a balanced state with a little shift towards anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β). A significant positive correlation was detected between pro-inflammatory together (p = 0.002, r = 0.96) and between anti-inflammatory cytokines together (p = 0.0008, r = 0.99) in group II, indicating the harmonized and synchronized expression of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. In group III, IL-10 was relatively higher with negative correlation with IFN-γ (p = 0.006, r = 0.93), indicating the possible role of IL10 in saving some of the pregnancies’ outcomes in group III. The present study suggests a potential role of these cytokines in the upcoming prognostic or/and therapeutic concerns of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women.