Inflammatory cytokines patterns in the placenta of pregnancies complicated by HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, and low platelet) syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the expression pattern and the role of inflammatory cytokines and their receptors in the placentas of pregnancy with HELLP syndrome.


METHODS
Placentas were collected after cesarean section, 10 from normal pregnancy and 10 from HELLP. The array was performed with GEArray Q Series Human Inflammatory Cytokines & Receptors Gene Array HS-015. The data were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. The Student's t test was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Macroarray analysis identified 14 cytokines differentially expressed. PCR confirmed that only IL-10, IL-6-receptor, and TGF-beta3 were increased, whilst CCL18, CXCL5, and IL-16 were significantly decreased, in HELLP.


CONCLUSIONS
The regulation of cytokines involved in angiogenesis and adaptive immune responses may be critical for the placental vascular dysfunction. Our data support the hypothesis that HELLP syndrome could be a placental inflammatory response which leads to a systemic and endothelial dysfunction.
Tranquilli
Andrea L
AL
Istituto di Scienze Materne e Infantili, Università Politecnica Marche, Ancona, Italy.
Landi
Beatrice
B
Corradetti
Alessandra
A
Giannubilo
Stefano R
SR
Sartini
Davide
D
Pozzi
Valentina
V
Emanuelli
Monica
M
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy
D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators