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Increased levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in preeclampsia
Tullia Todros1, Salvatore Bontempo, Ettore Piccoli
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Turin, Via Ventimiglia, 3, 10126 Turin, Italy. tullia.todros@unito.it
Objective:
MIF is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in reproduction. Systemic activation of maternal inflammatory cell responses may play an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). We hypothesized that MIF could be involved in preeclampsia.
Study Design:
Concentration of immunoreactive MIF was assayed by enzyme-linked immunoassorbent assay (ELISA) in maternal serum samples obtained from 41 term control pregnancies and 21 severe preeclamptic pregnancies (14 delivered before and 7 at or after 34 weeks).
Results:
MIF serum levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic pregnancies (median 12.74 ng/ml) than in control group (median 5.3n g/ml) p = 0.001. MIF concentration was significantly higher when delivery occurred <34 weeks (median 17.80 ng/ml; range 2.80-80.20) than in the group delivered > or = 34 weeks (median 6.16 ng/ml; range 1.62-23.65) p = 0.037.
Conclusions:
High maternal serum levels MIF in pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia strongly support the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Insights
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) serum levels are elevated in severe preeclampsia, indicating inflammation
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Maternal-fetal medicine
- Cytokine research
Background:
- Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy complication associated with maternal inflammatory responses.
- Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine implicated in reproductive processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of MIF in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
- To compare serum MIF levels between women with severe preeclampsia and those with normal pregnancies.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure immunoreactive MIF concentrations.
- Maternal serum samples were collected from 41 control pregnancies and 21 pregnancies with severe preeclampsia.
- Preeclamptic pregnancies were further categorized based on delivery timing relative to 34 weeks gestation.
Main Results:
- Serum MIF levels were significantly higher in women with severe preeclampsia (median 12.74 ng/ml) compared to controls (median 5.3 ng/ml; p=0.001).
- MIF concentrations were notably elevated in preeclamptic pregnancies delivered before 34 weeks (median 17.80 ng/ml) versus those delivered at or after 34 weeks (median 6.16 ng/ml; p=0.037).
Conclusions:
- Elevated maternal serum MIF levels in severe preeclampsia underscore the critical role of inflammation in the disease's development.
- MIF may serve as a potential biomarker for inflammation-associated pregnancy complications like preeclampsia.
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