Unexplained Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Clinical Application of Immunophenotyping

Problem

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as the failure of two or more pregnancies and affects approximately 5% of couples, often without a clear cause. The etiologies of RPL include factors such as maternal age, endocrine dysfunction, uterine abnormalities, chromosomal abnormalities, thrombophilias, infections, and autoimmune disorders. However, these conditions account for only 50%–60% of RPL cases. Research has explored whether an altered immune system, compared to the physiological state, may be linked to RPL. This review aims to determine whether specific immunophenotypes are associated with unexplained Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (uRPL) and whether targeted therapies addressing specific immunophenotypic alterations can improve pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

A literature review was conducted using Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, and Embase databases, analyzing data from 95 articles published between 2001 and 2023. The roles of various cells of the immune system (B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, macrophages) in different tissues (peripheral blood, menstrual blood) were specifically investigated in women with uRPL.

Discussion and Conclusion

Specific immunophenotypes have been demonstrated to be associated with this condition. However, there is a need to standardize immunophenotyping assays and conduct more trials to stratify RPL risk and improve potential therapeutic strategies.