Maternal circulating endothelial progenitor cells in normal singleton and twin pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to determine the levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which are peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) that contribute to vascular repair in normal pregnancy.


METHODS
The concentration of EPCs in maternal blood was measured in healthy nonpregnant women (group A, n = 8), normal singleton pregnancies (group B, n = 24), and normal twin pregnancies (group C, n = 21).


RESULTS
In group A, the mean (SD) level of EPCs was 77.0% (8.6%) adherent PBMNCs. In group B, the mean level was lower than in group A and decreased with gestation from 61.3% (14.9%) in the first trimester to 56.0% (16.2%) in the second trimester and 52.0% (8.7%) in the third trimester (P = .001). Similarly, the level of EPCs in group C was lower than in group A and decreased with gestation from 64.6% (9.6%) in the first trimester to 65.2% (12.7%) in the second trimester and 56.4% (12.6%) in the third trimester (P = .002).


CONCLUSIONS
Normal pregnancy is associated with a decrease in maternal circulating levels of EPCs.
Savvidou
Makrina D
MD
Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
Xiao
Qingzhong
Q
Kaihura
Christine
C
Anderson
James M
JM
Nicolaides
Kypros H
KH
D000328:Adult; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D014427:Twins / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology