Preeclampsia is associated with lower percentages of regulatory T cells in maternal blood.
OBJECTIVE
Immunological mechanisms are involved in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. During pregnancy there is an increase in regulatory T (Treg) cells, which has an important role in regulating tolerance to the immunologically distinct fetus. We hypothesised that percentages of Treg cells are decreased in preeclamptic patients.


METHODS
Peripheral blood was obtained from 26 healthy pregnant controls and 18 preeclamptic patients. Treg cells were measured using flow-cytometry.


RESULTS
Women with pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia had significantly lower percentages of CD4(+)FOXP3(+) Treg cells.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that a deficiency of regulatory T cells may play a role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.
University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Groningen, Netherlands.
Jelmer R
JR
Prins
Hendrik M
HM
Boelens
Janneke
J
Heimweg
Sicco
S
Van der Heide
Anthony E
AE
Dubois
Antoon J
AJ
Van Oosterhout
Jan Jaap H M
JJ
Erwich
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors