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

Abstract EN

Background: 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 Aim: This work aimed to study the gene expression profile of some pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in Toxoplasma seropositive cases Results: All studied cytokines were significantly upregulated in group I, with a remarkable bias towards IFN-y, 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-0).

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 llf 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-y (p = 0.006, r = 0.93), indicating the possible role of I LI 0 in saving some of the pregnancies’ outcomes in group III.

Conclusion: The present study suggests a potential role of these cytokines in the upcoming prognostic or/and therapeutic concerns of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women.