Increased levels of intercellular adhesion molecules and vascular cell adhesion molecules in pre-eclampsia

To investigate the correlation between soluble forms of the intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1) and the severity of pre-eclampsia or its possible consequences for fetal growth.

Prospective observational study.

Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo, Department of Medical Genetics and Haematological Research Laboratory, Ullevål University Hospital; and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The National Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

Seventy-six women with normotensive pregnancies and 157 women with pre-eclampsia divided into three subgroups: mild, severe and pre-eclampsia with fetal growth retardation.

ELISA-measurements of plasma sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were performed in a group of healthy pregnant normotensive women and three groups of women with varying degrees of pre-eclampsia.

sICAM-1 concentrations were higher in the pre-eclampsia group compared with the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant. Plasma concentrations of sVCAM-1 were significantly greater (P < 0.0001) in all pre-eclampsia subgroups (835.34, 855.25 and 964.05 ng/mL) compared with the control group (667.62 ng/mL). Within the pre-eclampsia group, plasma concentration of sVCAM-1 was significantly higher in the subgroup exhibiting fetal growth retardation (P = 0.03) compared with mild pre-eclampsia.

The observed increases in plasma concentrations of sVCAM-1 suggest that measurements of this adhesion molecule may be useful in monitoring pregnancies with respect to the development of pre-eclampsia or fetal growth retardation.