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Obesity Correlates with Chronic Inflammation of the Innate Immune System in Preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome during

Julia Rimboeck1, Michael Gruber1, Marco Weigl2

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital of Regensburg, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.

Biomedicines
|October 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Obesity in pregnant women is linked to higher immune cell activation, potentially contributing to HELLP syndrome and preeclampsia. This study found increased immune cell activity in women with these conditions, especially those with higher BMI.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Immunology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) and preeclampsia (PE) are high-risk pregnancy complications.
  • Obesity is a potential risk factor that may affect immune function and disease course.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of obesity on polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) function in pregnant women with PE or HELLP syndrome.
  • To explore the relationship between PMN activation markers and disease severity.

Main Methods:

  • Blood samples from healthy pregnant women, women with PE, and women with HELLP syndrome were analyzed.
  • PMNs were isolated to assess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, migration, NETosis, and surface protein expression (CD11b, CD62L, CD66b) using live-cell imaging and flow cytometry.
  • A Surface Protein Activation Sum Scale (SPASS) was calculated based on PMN surface protein expression.

Main Results:

  • Patients with PE and HELLP syndrome had significantly higher Body Mass Index (BMI) compared to healthy controls.
  • Higher SPASS values in PMNs correlated with prolonged, targeted migration and delayed ROS production and NETosis.
  • Pregnant women with higher BMI tended to exhibit higher SPASS values, suggesting innate immune system activation.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity-associated chronic inflammation may modulate PMN function during pregnancy.
  • Activated PMNs, indicated by higher SPASS values, could be involved in triggering PE or HELLP syndrome.
  • Immune system activation in pregnant women with higher BMI may play a role in the development of these conditions.

Keywords:
HDPHELLPNETosisPMNsROSneutrophilsobesitypreeclampsiapregnancy

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