Neutrophil function in women with pre-eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the function of neutrophils in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.


METHODS
Baseline levels and activated responses of peripheral blood neutrophils were measured in response to the physiological agonists, n-formyl-met-leu-phe (fMLP) and zymosan activated serum.


METHODS
Neutrophils of 16 pre-eclamptic, 17 normal pregnant (third trimester) and 15 nonpregnant age-matched control women were calculated.


METHODS
Antenatal Clinic, City Hospital, Nottingham.


METHODS
Neutrophil superoxide anion production was determined by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence; the release of secondary granule lactoferrin by ELISA; and the expression of cell surface adhesion molecules CD11b, CD18 and L-selectin (CD62L) by flow cytometric analysis.


RESULTS
Superoxide anion generation was reduced in the pregnant group compared with nonpregnant controls [fMLP by 51% (P = 0.03) and zymosan activated serum by 56% (P = 0.01)] but pre-eclamptic measurements did not show a similar reduction. There were no differences between the three study groups in the plasma levels of lactoferrin, or in the stimulated expression and release of CD11b and CD18, or lactoferrin and L-selectin. The base-line levels for the production of superoxide anions; the expression of CD11b or CD18 or L-selectin; and the release of lactoferrin showed no significant differences.


CONCLUSIONS
Circulating neutrophils in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia are neither activated nor primed in vivo, however the release of reactive oxygen species is diminished in normal pregnancy. In comparison, an elevation of reactive oxygen generation in pre-eclampsia may highlight a role for neutrophils in the oxidative stress and pathophysiology of this disease.
Crocker
I P
IP
The Medical Research Centre, Nottingham University, Nottingham City Hospital NHS Trust, UK.
Wellings
R P
RP
Fletcher
J
J
Baker
P N
PN
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008423:Maternal Age; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D013481:Superoxides; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine