Distinct subsets of regulatory T cells during pregnancy: is the imbalance of these subsets involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia?

Regulatory T cells (CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+)-Treg cells) are important regulators of tolerance induction during pregnancy. We now found that the number of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+)-Treg cells decreases during normal course of pregnancy and even more so in women affected by preeclampsia. The functional activity of these CD4(+)CD25(+)-Treg cells was significantly reduced in comparison to those of healthy pregnants.