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Maternal and fetal alternative complement pathway activation in early severe preeclampsia
M Camille Hoffman1, Kristen K Rumer, Anita Kramer
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989)
|October 17, 2013
Summary
Severe preeclampsia (PE) is linked to elevated alternative complement activation fragment Bb levels in maternal and fetal blood. This suggests the complement system plays a role in PE development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Complement System Biology
Background:
- Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious pregnancy complication.
- The role of the complement system in PE pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if alternative complement activation fragment Bb (Bb) levels are elevated in maternal and fetal blood in severe PE.
- To compare Bb levels in severe PE cases versus normotensive controls.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of pregnant women at ≥24 weeks gestation.
- Collected maternal plasma, umbilical cord blood, and intervillous space blood.
- Quantified plasma Bb levels using ELISA and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Maternal plasma Bb levels were significantly higher in severe PE subjects (1.45 μg/mL) than controls (0.65 μg/mL).
- Umbilical venous plasma Bb levels were also significantly higher in severe PE subjects (2.48 μg/mL) compared to controls (1.01 μg/mL).
Conclusions:
- Activation fragment Bb is increased in both maternal and fetal circulation in severe PE.
- These findings support the involvement of the alternative complement pathway in severe PE pathogenesis.
- Alternative complement activation occurs in both maternal and fetal compartments during severe PE.
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