Increased T-helper-1-type immunity and decreased T-helper-2-type immunity in patients with preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether preeclampsia involves type-1 T-helper (TH1) immune hyperactivity.


METHODS
Expression of HLA-DR, a cell-surface marker of activation, was analyzed on CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells in 15 preeclamptic patients and 15 normal pregnant women using flow cytometry. Additionally, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from preeclamptic patients and normal pregnant women were cultured with or without phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation, and interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha concentrations were determined in the supernatant by immunoassays.


RESULTS
HLA-DR antigen was expressed more strongly on CD3+ T cells in preeclamptic patients than in normal subjects. In preeclampsia, HLA-DR was expressed more strongly in CD8+ T cells than in CD4- T cells. More TNF-alpha, IL-2, and IFN-gamma were produced by unstimulated and stimulated cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells from preeclampsia patients than by those from normal subjects. TNF-alpha/IL-4, IL-2/IL-4, and IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratios were higher in preeclamptic patients than in the normal group. Significant positive correlations were observed between mean blood pressure and concentrations of the Th-1 type cytokines IL-2, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha.


CONCLUSIONS
Up-regulation of Th1 responses and down-regulation of Th2 responses occur in preeclampsia.
Saito
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Umekage
H
H
Sakamoto
Y
Y
Sakai
M
M
Tanebe
K
K
Sasaki
Y
Y
Morikawa
H
H
D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins