title: Leukocyte activation and circulating leukocyte-derived microparticles in preeclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Preeclampsia shows characteristics of an inflammatory disease including leukocyte activation. Analyses of leukocyte-derived microparticles (MP) and mRNA expression of inflammation-related genes in leukocytes may establish which subgroups of leukocytes contribute to the development of preeclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were obtained from preeclamptic patients, normotensive pregnant and non-pregnant controls. sL-selectin and elastase were measured by ELISA. mRNA was isolated from leukocytes and gene expression was determined by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). MP were characterized by flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Altered concentrations of sL-selectin and elastase confirmed leukocyte activation in preeclampsia. These leukocytes showed up-regulation of Nuclear Factor of Kappa light chain gene enhancer in B cells inhibitor (NFkappaB-1A) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKN)-1A compared with normotensive pregnant women. Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (IL-1RA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-R1 were increased compared with those in non-pregnant controls. Monocyte-derived MP were elevated in preeclamptic patients compared with pregnant women. The numbers of cytotoxic T-cell-derived and granulocyte-derived MP were elevated compared with those of non-pregnant women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Leukocytes are activated in preeclampsia. A pro-inflammatory gene expression profile is not prominent, although differences in mRNA expression can be detected. Increased levels of particular subsets of leukocyte-derived MP reflect activation of their parental cells in preeclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. carlok@lokjansen.nl
authors.forename: Christianne A R
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lok
authors.forename: Jiska
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jebbink
authors.forename: Rienk
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nieuwland
authors.forename: Marijke M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Faas
authors.forename: Kees
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boer
authors.forename: Augueste
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sturk
authors.forename: Joris A M
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Van Der Post