ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

On the 21-th of November 2017 in the meeting hall of IBIR, at 15.30 h, a scientific seminar will take place according to the following program:

1. 1.      DIFFERENTIATION PROFILE OF UNCONVENTIONAL γδ T CELLS DURING PREGNANCY - Antonia Terzieva, PhD STUDENT, Dept. Immunobiology of reproduction, IBIR

Successful pregnancy is associated with control of maternal adaptive immune system and compensatory preponderance of the innate immune system, part of which are the uNK cells and unconventional T lymphocytes - γδ T cells. Unlike well-studied uNK cells, data about γδ T cells are controversial, and their role for successful pregnancy outcome is still unclear.

Our study on the amount and phenotype of γδ T cells during human pregnancy showed that early pregnancy triggers an influx of terminally differentiated γδ T cells at the materno-fetal interface.

ve and phenotypic analysis of γδ T cells during pregnancy.

Quantitative and phenotypic variations between decidua-based and peripheral blood γδ T cells during pregnancy are probably associated with the proximity of the fetus and the possible interactions with trophoblasts antigens.

This study was funded by Bulgarian National Science Fund, project DH 03/5.

1. 2.      PLACENTAL TRANSMISSION OF MYCOBACTERIAL L-FORMS AND ΓΔ T-CELL RESPONSE IN THE PLACENTOBIOME OF BCG-VACCINATED PREGNANT WOMEN, Assoc. Prof. Tanya Dimova, Dept. Immunobiology of reproduction, IBIR

The ability of bacteria to exist as a population of self-replicating forms with defective or entirely missing cell wall (L-forms) is considered as an adaptive mechanism for their survival in adverse conditions. The presence of filterable L forms in BCG vaccine, found in our previous study, raises really important questions and shows how little we know about the mechanisms of long-term persistence of M. bovis bacilli in vivo. Placenta is colonized by non-pathogenic bacteria as defined a dynamic placental microbiome (placentobiome) with specific metabolic functions, whose effects on the developing fetus is still unknown. We were able to isolate mycobacterial L-forms from the blood of newborn babies, whose mothers were BCG-vaccinated. It is well known that both mycobacterial infection and BCG vaccination induce a specific expansion Vδ2 γδ T cells in vivo and in vitro after re-stimulation with mycobacterial lysates and BCG. Our recent study showed that mother’s BCG vaccination affects the placental microbiome and filterable  mycobacterial L-forms could be readely detected in the placenta. These L-forms are able to pass placental barrier and to enter fetal circulation. We assume that placental mycobacterial L-forms are not immunogenic having in mind the lack of selective amplification of placental pathogen-reactive Vδ2 γδ T cells.

This study is funded by Bulgarian National Science Fund, project DH 03/5.

Everyone is welcome!