title: Inflammatory cytokines in the pathophysiology of hypertension during preeclampsia.
abstract: Reduced uterine perfusion pressure during pregnancy is an important initiating event in preeclampsia. Inflammatory cytokines are thought to link placental ischemia with cardiovascular and renal dysfunction. Supporting a role for cytokines are findings of elevated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 plasma levels in preeclamptic women. Blood pressure regulatory systems (eg, renin-angiotensin system [RAS] and sympathetic nervous system) interact with proinflammatory cytokines, which affect angiogenic and endothelium-derived factors regulating endothelial function. Chronic reductions in placental perfusion in pregnant rats are associated with enhanced TNF-alpha and IL-6 production. Chronic infusion of TNF-alpha or 11-6 into normal pregnant rats significantly increases arterial pressure and impairs renal hemodynamics. TNF-alpha activates the endothelin system in placental, renal, and vascular tissues, and IL-6 stimulates the RAS. These findings suggest that inflammatory cytokines elevate blood pressure during pregnancy by activating multiple neurohumoral and endothelial factors.
authors: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
authors: Babbette D
authors: BD
authors: LaMarca
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Ryan
authors: Jeffrey S
authors: JS
authors: Gilbert
authors: Sydney R
authors: SR
authors: Murphy
authors: Joey P
authors: JP
authors: Granger
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines