Upregulation of the CD40-CD40 ligand system in pre-eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) system in women with pre-eclampsia.


METHODS
Expression of CD40 on monocytes and expression of CD40 and CD40L on platelets were determined by whole blood flow cytometry in 23 women with pre-eclampsia and in 23 normotensive pregnant women. Serum levels of soluble CD40L in both groups of women were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
There was a significantly higher expression of CD40 and CD40L on platelets and CD40 on monocytes in the women with pre-eclampsia compared with normotensive pregnant women (P<0.001 for all comparisons). The serum concentration of soluble CD40L was significantly higher in women with pre-eclampsia compared with normotensive pregnant women (P=0.012).


CONCLUSIONS
Pre-eclampsia is associated with activation of the CD40-CD40L system. The activation of this system may contribute to the development or maintenance of the proinflammatory and prothrombotic responses, increased cytokine production, and endothelial cell dysfunction found in pre-eclampsia.
Lukanov
Tzvetan Hristoforov
TH
Immunology Laboratory, University Hospital, Pleven, Bulgaria. lukanovtz@abv.bg
Bojinova
Svetla Ivanova
SI
Emin
Alkan Levha
AL
Veleva
Galina Lubomirova
GL
Popova
Vanya Slavcheva
VS
Konova
Emiliana Ilieva
EI
D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015854:Up-Regulation; D055815:Young Adult
D019013:CD40 Antigens; D023201:CD40 Ligand