Cytokine expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes indicates a switch to T(HELPER) cells in patients with preeclampsia

We sought to determine whether cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is altered in patients with preeclampsia and in patients with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Twenty-four patients with preeclampsia and twenty patients with a history of RSA were included int...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of reproductive immunology 2002-03, Vol.54 (1-2), p.133-142
Main Authors: Rein, Daniel T, Schondorf, Thomas, Gohring, Uwe Jochen, Kurbacher, Christian M, Pinto, Irma, Breidenbach, Martina, Mallmann, Peter, Kolhagen, Hannelore, Engel, Heike
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Cytokines - biosynthesis
Female
Humans
Pre-Eclampsia - immunology
Pregnancy
Th1 Cells - immunology
Th2 Cells - immunology
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Summary:We sought to determine whether cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is altered in patients with preeclampsia and in patients with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Twenty-four patients with preeclampsia and twenty patients with a history of RSA were included into the study. Two control groups consisted of twenty healthy pregnant and twenty healthy non-pregnant women. The intracellular expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by flow cytometry as a measure of cytokine production. IL-2 synthesis was significantly elevated in the third trimester in preeclamptic patients in comparison with the control group. Non-pregnant women with RSA showed a significantly lower expression of IFN-gamma compared to the non-pregnant control group. Our data suggest an abnormal immune response in preeclamptic patients characterised by a shift to a predominantly Th1-type immunity.
ISSN:0165-0378