title: Amniotic fluid induces platelet-neutrophil aggregation and neutrophil activation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Amniotic fluid embolism syndrome is a fatal disease in pregnant women. The exact role of platelets and neutrophils in amniotic fluid embolism syndrome is not clear. We examined whether amniotic fluid could affect platelet-neutrophil aggregation and activation and the possible mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples from the pregnant women were pretreated ex vivo with their own amniotic fluid. Flow cytometry was used to measure platelet-neutrophil aggregation and activation. Neutrophil-mediated activity of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 was analyzed by Western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Amniotic fluid significantly induced platelet-neutrophil aggregation, neutrophil CD11b expression, and reactive oxygen species production. Amniotic fluid induced minimal platelet P-selectin expression. The increase of intracellular calcium level of neutrophils and the activity of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase were enhanced by amniotic fluid stimulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Amniotic fluid was able to induce neutrophil activation and platelet-neutrophil aggregation with minimal effect on platelet activation. These findings may provide a new insight in the understanding of the pathophysiologic condition of amniotic fluid embolism syndrome.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Republic of China.
authors: Kuen-Bao
authors: KB
authors: Chen
authors: Shih-Sheng
authors: SS
authors: Chang
authors: Yu-Lun
authors: YL
authors: Tseng
authors: Tsan-Hung
authors: TH
authors: Chiu
authors: Cheng-Chun
authors: CC
authors: Liao
authors: Ming
authors: M
authors: Ho
authors: Go-Shine
authors: GS
authors: Huang
authors: Chi-Yuan
authors: CY
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D004619:Embolism, Amniotic Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018375:Neutrophil Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy