Calprotectin, a marker of inflammation, is elevated in the maternal but not in the fetal circulation in preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
Preeclampsia is associated with excessive inflammatory response compared with normal pregnancy. Calprotectin is an inflammation marker not previously explored in preeclampsia.


METHODS
Calprotectin in maternal and fetal plasma and amniotic fluid was investigated at cesarean delivery in normal pregnancies and preeclampsia. C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type1 (PAI-1) were also analyzed.


RESULTS
Maternal median calprotectin, CRP, and PAI-1 concentrations were elevated in preeclampsia (1081 microg/L, 4.8 mg/L, and 51.0 U/mL) compared with control levels (552 microg/L, 3.8 mg/L, and 36.5 U/mL). In the umbilical vein, there were no differences between preeclampsia and controls regarding calprotectin and CRP levels. Maternal calprotectin concentrations correlate with CRP and PAI-1 values for the total study group, but a statistical significant correlation was not found in the preeclamptic group.


CONCLUSIONS
Calprotectin is elevated in the maternal circulation in preeclamptic pregnancies. We found no evidence of inflammatory response in the fetal circulation in preeclampsia.
Braekke
Kristin
K
Department of Pediatrics, Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. krb@broadpark.no
Holthe
Mette R
MR
Harsem
Nina Kittelsen
NK
Fagerhol
Magne K
MK
Staff
Anne Cathrine
AC
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000097:blood; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D002097:C-Reactive Protein