A selective increase in plasma soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels in preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
The study was conducted to determine whether altered plasma levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 are involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.


METHODS
Maternal plasma samples were collected from 20 patients with preeclampsia, 20 matched normotensive patients with uncomplicated pregnancies. and ten healthy nonpregnant women. Samples were assayed for soluble VCAM-1 and soluble ICAM-1 by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Both soluble VCAM-1 and soluble ICAM-1 were detectable in the plasma of all preeclamptic, normotensive pregnant, and nonpregnant women. The mean plasma level of soluble VCAM-1 was significantly higher in preeclamptic women compared to normotensive pregnant women (1831 ng/mL +/- 534 ng/mL vs. 1254 ng/mL +/- 386 ng/mL, respectively; P < 0.05). However, the plasma level of soluble VCAM-1 was unchanged during the third-trimester of normal pregnancy compared to nonpregnant women. The mean plasma level of soluble ICAM-1 in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women were increased when compared to nonpregnant women. However, the mean plasma level of soluble ICAM-1 was comparable in women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
The selective increased plasma levels of soluble VCAM-1 in patients with preeclampsia provide evidence for endothelial activation and suggest distinct pathways for neutrophil and endothelial activation in preeclampsia.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Y
Y
Daniel
M J
MJ
Kupferminc
A
A
Baram
E
E
Geva
G
G
Fait
J B
JB
Lessing
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012995:Solubility; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*
D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1