TNF-receptor levels in preeclampsia--results of a longitudinal study in high-risk women.
OBJECTIVE
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is thought to play a role in immune activation in preeclampsia. The objective of this study was to establish if soluble TNF-receptor I (sTNF-rI) levels relate to the onset and severity of preeclampsia.


METHODS
Maternal plasma sTNF-rI levels were studied throughout pregnancy in 68 women with a history of severe preeclampsia or intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR), and primigravidas with chronic hypertension. Data are presented as mean (SD) in ng/ml.


RESULTS
In the second trimester there was a significant difference in sTNF-rI levels between preeclamptic pregnancies with and without IUGR (means 1.33 (0.20) and 1.11 (0.15) respectively, p < 0.005). In severe preeclampsia with delivery before 34 weeks of gestation, sTNF-rI levels were higher than in mild preeclampsia in the second and third trimesters (means 1.40 (0.16) vs. 1.16 (0.19), p < 0.02 and 1.82 (0.47) vs. 1.42 (0.22), p < 0.05, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
sTNF-rI levels were higher in preeclampsia with fetal involvement, suggesting that increased TNF-alpha production in preeclampsia is related to impaired placentation rather than to the maternal syndrome.
Schipper
Elbert-Jaap I
EJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Bolte
Antoinette C
AC
Schalkwijk
Casper G
CG
Van Geijn
Herman P
HP
Dekker
Gustaaf A
GA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I