Cytokine expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes indicates a switch to T(HELPER) cells in patients with preeclampsia.
We sought to determine whether cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is altered in patients with preeclampsia and in patients with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Twenty-four patients with preeclampsia and twenty patients with a history of RSA were included into the study. Two control groups consisted of twenty healthy pregnant and twenty healthy non-pregnant women. The intracellular expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by flow cytometry as a measure of cytokine production. IL-2 synthesis was significantly elevated in the third trimester in preeclamptic patients in comparison with the control group. Non-pregnant women with RSA showed a significantly lower expression of IFN-gamma compared to the non-pregnant control group. Our data suggest an abnormal immune response in preeclamptic patients characterised by a shift to a predominantly Th1-type immunity.
Rein
Daniel T
DT
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Cologne, 50924, Cologne, Germany.
Schondorf
Thomas
T
Gohring
Uwe Jochen
UJ
Kurbacher
Christian M
CM
Pinto
Irma
I
Breidenbach
Martina
M
Mallmann
Peter
P
Kolhagen
Hannelore
H
Engel
Heike
H
D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines