Pre-eclampsia affects cord blood NK cell expression of activation receptors and serum cytokine levels but not CB monocyte characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
Maternal immunopathology in pre-eclampsia is well studied; however, less is known regarding the immunological effects on the newborns. Increased inflammation and activation of immune cells at the fetal-maternal interface in pre-eclampsia could influence the neonatal immune compartment.


METHODS
Monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells from cord blood (CB) of children with pre-eclamptic or healthy mothers were analyzed by flow cytometry for surface markers and intracellular cytokines. In addition, serum cytokine profiles were investigated using ELISA or cytometric bead array.


RESULTS
Neonates born to pre-eclamptic mothers had an inflammatory serum cytokine profile. While CB monocyte characteristics seemed unaffected, CB NK cells from pre-eclamptic pregnancies had higher NKp30, but borderline lower NKG2D expression.


CONCLUSIONS
In utero inflammatory priming of neonatal innate immunity taking place in pre-eclamptic pregnancies might influence specific NK cell functions in newborns.
Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Ebba
E
Sohlberg
Shanie
S
Saghafian-Hedengren
Nora
N
Bachmayer
Rangeen Rafik
RR
Hamad
Katarina
K
Bremme
Ulrika
U
Holmlund
D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D055655:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K / Q000378:metabolism; D055628:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
D016207:Cytokines; C527085:KLRK1 protein, human; C431710:NCR3 protein, human; D055655:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K; D055628:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3
Cytokines; NKG2D; NKp30; innate immunity; monocytes; newborns