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Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: January 26, 2024
Systemic and Local Immunological Markers in Preeclampsia
Almagul Kurmanova1, Altynay Nurmakova2,3, Damilya Salimbayeva2,3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 Al-Farabi Ave., 050040 Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Insights
Preeclampsia involves immune system changes in both maternal blood and placenta. Dysregulation of immune cells like T, B, and NK cells contributes to inflammation and oxidative stress, impacting pregnancy outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Obstetrics
- Perinatology
Background:
- Preeclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality.
- The maternal immune system balances pathogen defense and tolerance to the semi-allogenic fetus.
- Immune dysregulation is implicated in PE pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare immunological markers in maternal blood and placenta between preeclampsia and normal pregnancies.
- To investigate immune cell subpopulations and cytokine profiles.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of 35 pregnant women (7 PE, 28 controls).
- Flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood and placental tissue.
- Assessment of lymphocyte subpopulations and intracellular cytokine production.
Main Results:
- PE blood showed decreased CD14+ monocytes, increased NK cells (CD16+, CD56+), and activation markers (HLA-DR+, CD95+).
- Elevated IL-10, TNF, Perforin, GM-CSF, and IGF were found in PE blood.
- PE placenta exhibited decreased regulatory cells (CD4+, CD8+, CD14+, CD56+, CD59+), activation markers (CD95+), IL-10, VEGFR, and IGF.
Conclusions:
- The maternal-fetal immune profile is critical for fetal development.
- Dysregulation of T, B, and NK cells contributes to inflammation, oxidative stress, and preeclampsia development.
Abstract:
Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the main causes of obstetric complications and leads to both maternal and neonatal mortality. The maternal innate immune system plays an important role throughout pregnancy by providing protection against pathogens, while simultaneously inducing tolerance to a semi-allogenic developing fetus and placental development. Background/Objectives: To conduct a comparative study of immunological markers in the blood and placenta in preeclampsia. Methods: A total of 35 pregnant women were enrolled in a comparative study with preeclampsia (7) and with physiological pregnancy (28). A study of the immune status in peripheral blood and placenta was conducted with an examination of the subpopulation of lymphocytes profile and intracellular cytokines production by flow cytometry. Results: In the blood of pregnant women with PE, there was a decrease in CD14+ monocytes, as well as a significant increase of natural killers CD16+, CD56+ and activation markers HLA-DR+ and CD95+, as well as a significant rise in production of IL-10, TNF, Perforin, GM-CSF, and IGF. At the same time, in placental tissue in patients with preeclampsia, on the contrary, a significant decrease in regulatory cells CD4+, CD8+, CD14+, CD56+, CD59+, activation markers CD95+, as well as anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, growth factors VEGFR and IGF was detected. Conclusions: The maternal-fetal immune profile is crucial for successful fetal development and dysregulation of T-, B-, and NK cells can contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and the development of preeclampsia.
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