title: Maternal monocytes in pregnancy and preeclampsia in humans and in rats.
abstract: Monocytes are short-lived cells, arising from the bone marrow and maturing in the circulation. They play an important role in immune responses and are thought to be important for healthy pregnancy. In humans, 3 subpopulations of monocytes have been identified: classical, intermediate and non-classical monocytes. These subpopulations have different functions and phenotypical characteristics. Healthy pregnancy is characterized by a pro-inflammatory condition, with increased numbers of monocytes and monocyte activation as well as with increased numbers of intermediate monocytes and decreased numbers of classical monocytes. This may suggest monocyte maturation. Preeclampsia is an important pregnancy complication characterized by hypertension and proteinuria developing in the second half of pregnancy. The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is associated with further activation of the inflammatory response, further activation of monocytes and further monocyte maturation. In the present review we focus on the role of monocyte activation and maturation in healthy and preeclamptic pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Section of Immunoendocrinology, Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.m.faas@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Faas
authors.affiliation: Section of Immunoendocrinology, Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Vos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats
keywords: Monocyte subsets; Monocytes; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Rat