Differential expression of TcR-CD3 zeta as evidence for altered immunoregulation in preeclamptic versus normotensive women.
OBJECTIVE
The study was undertaken to exhibit and quantify the difference in modulation of CD3-zeta protein (an integral component of the T-cell receptor) in preeclamptic and normotensive women.


METHODS
Serum was collected from 10 preeclamptic and 10 normotensive women at >or=37 weeks' gestation on admission. Jurkat E-61 cells were incubated with the sera (20% volume to volume) and analyzed with Western immunoblot using mouse monoclonal CD3-zeta antibody. Enhanced chemiluminescence and densitometry were used to qualitatively measure zeta expression of the cells. A de novo flow cytometry assay was developed to quantify the difference in CD3-zeta expression of these cells. Comparisons were performed by t test (P<.05 was significant).


RESULTS
Preeclamptic patient sera produced a 2.4-fold increase in CD3-zeta expression than normotensive patients on Western blot (P<.01). Flow cytometry showed that preeclamptic sera had a 1.4-fold higher expression of CD3-zeta compared with normotensive patients (P<.0003).


CONCLUSIONS
TcR/CD3-zeta expression is normally suppressed in pregnancy. Loss of this suppression occurs in preeclamptic patients, implying increased T-cell function.
Lam
Garrett K
GK
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, USA. garrett_lam@med.unc.edu
Whitecar
Paul W
PW
Orton
Susan
S
Boggess
Kim A
KA
Taylor
Douglas D
DD
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015153:Blotting, Western; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D017260:Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D017252:CD3 Complex; C121704:CD3 antigen, zeta chain; D017260:Receptor-CD3 Complex, Antigen, T-Cell