Leucocyte intracellular pH and Na+/H+ exchanger isoform-1 activity in postpartum women with pre-eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate leucocyte Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 activity in postpartum pre-eclamptics.


METHODS
Exchanger isoform-1 activity and intracellular resting pH were established in leucocytes isolated from two study groups.


METHODS
Leucocytes isolated from 10 women who had had pre-eclamptic pregnancies more than five months postpartum, and from 10 age-matched normotensive women who were more than five months postpartum.


METHODS
Hypertension Clinic, Antenatal Assessment Area, Leicester Royal Infirmary.


METHODS
A well validated technique involving flurometry using a pH sensitive dye (BCECF-AM) was performed to determine exchanger isoform-1 activity and intracellular pH. Determination of exchanger isoform-1 protein abundance was performed by western blotting. Exchanger isoform-3 protein abundance was examined to rule out the possibility of activity due to this particular isoform.


RESULTS
Intracellular pH was significantly lower in the postpartum pre-eclamptic group (7.11 +/- 0.02), compared with the postpartum normotensive controls (7.33 +/- 0.04; P < 0.001). Exchanger isoform-1 efflux rate (in mmol/L/minute) was significantly higher in the postpartum pre-eclamptic group (35.91 +/- 3.1), compared with the postpartum normotensives (23.94 +/- 2.0; P = 0.005). Exchanger isoform-1 protein density was established to be similar among the two subject groups. No exchanger isoform-3 protein was identified by western blotting.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that elevated exchanger isoform-1 activity is an important finding in women who have suffered from pre-eclampsia. This increased activity is not due to an increase in exchanger isoform-1 protein abundance or the presence of exchanger isoform-3.
Lee
V M
VM
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK.
Halligan
A W
AW
Ng
L L
LL
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D019831:Sodium-Calcium Exchanger / Q000378:metabolism; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / Q000378:metabolism*
D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; C101832:SLC38A3 protein, human; D019831:Sodium-Calcium Exchanger; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers