Plasma interleukin-12 is elevated in patients with preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
Abnormal immune activation has been suggested as a contributor to the development of preeclampsia. We hypothesized that intact interleukin (IL)-12 directly, or through its main mediator, interferon (IFN)-gamma, contributes to the altered immune response observed in preeclampsia.


METHODS
Plasma samples were collected from 20 patients with preeclampsia and 20 normotensive patients with uncomplicated pregnancies who were matched with the preeclamptic patients by age, gestational age, and parity. Samples were collected before the onset of labor, induction, or medical intervention. The samples were assayed for IL-12 and IFN-gamma by specific enzyme-linked immunoassays.


RESULTS
IL-12 was detected in 35% of the preeclamptic patients and in 5% of the patients with normal pregnancies (P < 0.01). The detection rate and mean concentration of IFN-gamma were comparable in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Intact plasma IL-12 is detected more frequently in preeclamptic patients, suggesting the involvement of this cytokine in the enhanced immune response observed in preeclampsia.
Daniel
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Kupferminc
M J
MJ
Baram
A
A
Jaffa
A J
AJ
Fait
G
G
Wolman
I
I
Lessing
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019281:Dimerization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D007376:Interleukin-2; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma