Circulating levels of immunoreactive cytokines in women with preeclampsia

Am J Reprod Immunol. 1998 Aug;40(2):102-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1998.tb00398.x.

Abstract

Problem: Circulating inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. To test this hypothesis, we measured plasma levels of immunoreactive tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and -beta, interleukin (IL)-1 alpha and -beta, and IL-6 and -10 in women with preeclampsia, in women with transient gestational hypertension, and throughout normal pregnancy.

Method of study: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used and subjected to extensive validation studies.

Results: The median concentration of plasma TNF-alpha was increased by twofold in women with preeclampsia compared with that in normal third-trimester pregnancy (P < 0.001) and in women with gestational hypertension (P < 0.04). The median concentration of plasma IL-6 was increased by threefold in women with preeclampsia compared with that in normal third-trimester pregnancy (P < 0.001) and increased twofold compared with that in women with gestational hypertension (P < 0.1). There were no significant differences observed in the levels of plasma IL-1 beta and IL-10 between the preeclamptic and other subject groups. The level of IL-1 beta, but not the levels of IL-10, TNF-alpha, or IL-6, was significantly changed during normal pregnancy compared with the nonpregnant condition manifesting an overall decline (P < 0.04). TNF-beta and IL-1 alpha were not detected in any samples, possibly because of the low sensitivity of these particular immunoassays.

Conclusion: Elevated levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 may contribute to the putative endothelial dysfunction of preeclampsia.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Circulation
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukins / blood
  • Interleukins / immunology
  • Pre-Eclampsia / blood*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / etiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / analysis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interleukins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha