Increased levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
MIF is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in reproduction. Systemic activation of maternal inflammatory cell responses may play an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). We hypothesized that MIF could be involved in preeclampsia.


METHODS
Concentration of immunoreactive MIF was assayed by enzyme-linked immunoassorbent assay (ELISA) in maternal serum samples obtained from 41 term control pregnancies and 21 severe preeclamptic pregnancies (14 delivered before and 7 at or after 34 weeks).


RESULTS
MIF serum levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic pregnancies (median 12.74 ng/ml) than in control group (median 5.3n g/ml) p = 0.001. MIF concentration was significantly higher when delivery occurred <34 weeks (median 17.80 ng/ml; range 2.80-80.20) than in the group delivered > or = 34 weeks (median 6.16 ng/ml; range 1.62-23.65) p = 0.037.


CONCLUSIONS
High maternal serum levels MIF in pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia strongly support the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Todros
Tullia
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Turin, Via Ventimiglia, 3, 10126 Turin, Italy. tullia.todros@unito.it
Bontempo
Salvatore
S
Piccoli
Ettore
E
Ietta
Francesca
F
Romagnoli
Roberta
R
Biolcati
Marilisa
M
Castellucci
Mario
M
Paulesu
Luana
L
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy
D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors