Maternal plasma concentrations of angiogenic/anti-angiogenic factors are of prognostic value in patients presenting to the obstetrical triage area with the suspicion of preeclampsia

Objective.?To determine the completion rate for the routine anatomic survey in obese pregnant women with body mass index (BMI)?≥30 as compared to normal weight controls (BMI: 20–25).

Methods.?A retrospective analysis of the routine anatomic survey was performed in 100 consecutive women with a BMI?≥30. Each subject was matched to two normal weight controls, controlling for gestational age. Exclusion criteria such as anatomic abnormalities or multiple gestations were known. The degree of visibility (satisfactory, moderate or unsatisfactory), indication for repeat examination and placental location were assessed.

Results.?Average BMI in the index cases was 35.7 (range: 30–64.8). Twenty-six (26%) of index cases were considered incomplete as compared to 5 (2.5%) of the 200 controls. The anatomic survey was completed in 74 (74%) of index cases compared with 195 (97.5%) of controls. Visibility was satisfactory in 28 (28%) of index cases, moderate in 46 (46%) and unsatisfactory in 26 (26%). In comparison, 177 (88.5%) were satisfactory, 17 (8.5%) moderate and 6 (3%) were poor in controls.

Conclusions.?The completion rate for the routine anatomic survey in obese (BMI?≥30) pregnant women was significantly lower as compared to normal weight pregnant women.     

Maternal plasma-soluble ST2 concentrations are elevated prior to the development of early and late onset preeclampsia – a longitudinal study

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the longitudinal profile of plasma soluble ST2 (sST2) concentrations in patients with preeclampsia and those with uncomplicated pregnancies; (2) whether the changes in sST2 occur prior to the diagnosis of preeclampsia; and (3) the longitudinal sST2 profile of women with early or late preeclampsia.

Materials and methods: This longitudinal nested case–control study included singleton pregnancies in the following groups: (1) uncomplicated pregnancies (n?=?160); and (2) those complicated by early (<34 weeks, n?=?9) and late (≥34 weeks, n?=?31) preeclampsia. sST2 concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Mixed-effects models were used for the longitudinal analysis.

Results: (1) Plasma sST2 concentration profiles across gestation differed significantly among cases and controls (p?22 weeks of gestation; cases with late preeclampsia had higher mean concentrations at >33 weeks of gestation (both p?Conclusions: Maternal plasma sST2 concentrations are elevated 6 weeks prior to the clinical diagnosis of preeclampsia. An increase in the maternal plasma concentration of sST2 may contribute to an exaggerated intravascular inflammatory response and/or the Th1/Th2 imbalance in some cases.     

Serum and plasma determination of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors yield different results: The need for standardization in clinical practice

Objective.?The importance of an anti-angiogenic state as a mechanism of disease in preeclampsia is now recognized. Assays for the determination of concentrations of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sVEGFR)-1, sVEGFR-2, placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble endoglin (sEng) have been developed for research and clinical laboratories. A key question is whether these factors should be measured in plasma or serum. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are differences in the concentrations of these analytes between plasma and serum in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia.

Methods.?Samples of maternal blood were obtained by venipuncture and collected in EDTA (lavender top) and serum collection tubes (red top). A standard laboratory procedure was implemented for the centrifugation, aliquoting and storage of samples. Plasma and serum from 70 women with normal pregnancies and 34 patients with preeclampsia were assayed for sVEGFR-1, sVEGFR-2, PlGF and sEng by ELISA. Nonparametric paired tests were used for analyses.

Results.?A significant difference between plasma and serum concentration was observed for sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 in normal pregnancy, and for sVEGFR-1, sVEGFR-2, PlGF and sEng in women with preeclampsia.

Conclusion.?The concentrations of sVEGFR-1, sVEGFR-2, PlGF and sEng when measured in maternal plasma and in serum are different. Therefore, the matrix used for the assay (serum versus plasma) needs to be considered when selecting thresholds for predictive studies and interpreting the growing body of literature on this subject.     

The change in concentrations of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in maternal plasma between the first and second trimesters in risk assessment for the subsequent development of preeclampsia and small-for-gestational age

Introduction. An imbalance between angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors has been proposed as central to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE). Indeed, patients with PE and those delivering small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates have higher plasma concentrations of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) and the soluble form of endoglin (s-Eng), as well as lower plasma concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF) than do patients with normal pregnancies. Of note, this imbalance has been observed before the clinical presentation of PE or the delivery of an SGA neonate. The objective of this study was to determine if changes in the profile of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in maternal plasma between the first and second trimesters are associated with a high risk for the subsequent development of PE and/or delivery of an SGA neonate.

Methods. This longitudinal case–control study included 402 singleton pregnancies in the following groups: (1) normal pregnancies with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates (n = 201); (2) patients who delivered an SGA neonate (n = 145); and (3) patients who developed PE (n = 56). Maternal plasma samples were obtained at the time of each prenatal visit, scheduled at 4-week intervals from the first or early second trimester until delivery. In this study, we included two samples per patient: (1) first sample obtained between 6 and 15 weeks of gestation (‘first trimester’ sample), and (2) second sample obtained between 20 and 25 weeks of gestation (‘second trimester’ sample). Plasma concentrations of s-Eng, sVEGFR-1, and PlGF were determined by specific and sensitive immunoassays. Changes in the maternal plasma concentrations of these angiogenesis-related factors were compared among normal patients and those destined to develop PE or deliver an SGA neonate while adjusting for maternal age, nulliparity, and body mass index. General linear models and polytomous logistic regression models were used to relate the analyte concentrations, ratios, and product to the subsequent development of PE and SGA.

Results. (1) An increase in the maternal plasma concentration of s-Eng between the first and second trimesters conferred risk for the development of preterm PE and SGA (OR 14.9, 95% CI 4.9–45.0 and OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5–5.6, respectively). (2) An increase in the maternal plasma concentration of sVEGFR-1 between the first and second trimester conferred risk for the development of preterm PE (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.2–12.6). (3) A subnormal increase in maternal plasma PlGF concentration between the first and the second trimester was a risk factor for the subsequent development of preterm and term PE (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.2–15.5 and OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2–5.9, respectively). (4) In addition, the combination of the three analytes into a pro-angiogenic versus anti-angiogenic ratio (PlGF/(s-Eng × VEGFR-1)) conferred risk for the subsequent development of preterm PE (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.1–12.1). (5) Importantly, patients with a high change in the s-Eng × sVEGFR-1 product had an OR of 10.4 (95% CI 3.2–33.8) for the development of preterm PE and 1.6 (95% CI 1.0–2.6) for the development of SGA.

Conclusions. Changes in the maternal plasma concentrations of s-Eng, sVEGFR-1, PlGF or their ratios between the first and second trimesters of pregnancy confer an increased risk to deliver an SGA neonate and/or develop PE.     

A prospective cohort study of the value of maternal plasma concentrations of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in early pregnancy and midtrimester in the identification of patients destined to develop preeclampsia

Objective.?Changes in the maternal plasma concentrations of angiogenic (placental growth factor (PlGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) and anti-angiogenic factors (sEng and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1)) precede the clinical presentation of preeclampsia. This study was conducted to examine the role of maternal plasma PlGF, sEng, and sVEGFR-1 concentrations in early pregnancy and midtrimester in the identification of patients destined to develop preeclampsia.

Methods. This longitudinal cohort study included 1622 consecutive singleton pregnant women. Plasma samples were obtained in early pregnancy (6–15 weeks) and midtrimester (20–25 weeks). Maternal plasma PlGF, sEng, and sVEGFR-1 concentrations were determined using sensitive and specific immunoassays. The primary outcome was the development of preeclampsia. Secondary outcomes included term, preterm, and early-onset preeclampsia. Receiving operating characteristic curves, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and multivariable logistic regression were applied. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results.?(1) The prevalence of preeclampsia, term, preterm, (<37 weeks) and early-onset preeclampsia (<34 weeks) was 3.8 (62/1622), 2.5 (40/1622), 1.4 (22/1622) and 0.6% (9/1622), respectively; (2) Higher likelihood ratios were provided by ratios of midtrimester plasma concentrations of PlGF, sEng, and sVEGFR-1 than single analytes; (3) Individual angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors did not perform well in the identification of preeclampsia as a whole; in particular, they perform poorly in the prediction of term preeclampsia; (4) In contrast, a combination of these analytes such as the PlGF/sEng ratio, its delta and slope had the best predictive performance with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 98–99%, and likelihood ratios for a positive test of 57.6, 55.6 and 89.6, respectively, for predicting early-onset preeclampsia.

Conclusions.?(1) The PlGF/sEng ratio and its delta and slope had an excellent predictive performance for the prediction of early-onset preeclampsia, with very high likelihood ratios for a positive test result and very low likelihood ratios for a negative test result; and (2) Although the positive likelihood ratios are high and the positive predictive values low, the number of patients needed to be closely followed is 4:1 for the PlGF/sEng ratio and 3:1 for the slope of PlGF/sEng.     

A subset of patients destined to develop spontaneous preterm labor has an abnormal angiogenic/anti-angiogenic profile in maternal plasma: Evidence in support of pathophysiologic heterogeneity of preterm labor derived from a longitudinal study

Objective.?An imbalance between angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in maternal blood has been observed in several obstetrical syndromes including preeclampsia, pregnancies with fetal growth restriction and fetal death. Vascular lesions have been identified in a subset of patients with spontaneous preterm labor (PTL). It is possible that PTL may be one of the manifestations of an anti-angiogenic state. The aim of this study was to determine if patients prior to the clinical diagnosis of PTL leading to preterm delivery had plasma concentrations of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors different from normal pregnant women.

Study Design.?This longitudinal nested case–control study included normal pregnant women (n?=?208) and patients with PTL leading to preterm delivery (n?=?52). Maternal blood samples were collected at 6 gestational age intervals from 6 to36.9 weeks of gestation. The end point (time of diagnosis) of the study, ‘True PTL’, was defined as patients presenting with PTL and delivered within 1 day. Plasma concentrations of sVEGFR-1, sVEGFR-2, sEng and PlGF were determined by ELISA. Analysis was performed with both cross-sectional and longitudinal (mixed effects model) approaches.

Results. (1) Plasma sEng concentration in patients destined to develop PTL was higher than that in normal pregnant women from 15–20 weeks of gestation. The difference became statistical significant at 28 weeks of gestation, or approximately 5–10 weeks prior to the diagnosis of ‘true PTL’. (2) Backward analysis suggests that plasma concentrations of PlGF and sVEGFR-2 were lower, and those of sVEGFR-1 were higher in patients with PTL than in normal pregnant women less than 5 weeks prior to the diagnosis of ‘true PTL’; and (3) Plasma concentrations of sEng and sVEGFR-1 were higher and those of PlGF and sVEGFR-2 were lower in patients diagnosed with PTL and delivery within 1 day than in normal pregnant women who delivered at term.

Conclusion.?The changes in sEng are demonstrable several weeks prior to the onset of preterm parturition. In contrast, the changes in the other angiogenic proteins are present close to the onset of PTL and delivery. This observation supports the view that an imbalance of angiogenic factors participates in the pathophysiology of spontaneous preterm parturition.     

Maternal serum soluble CD30 is increased in normal pregnancy,but decreased in preeclampsia and small for gestational age pregnancies

Objective. Women with preeclampsia and those who deliver small for gestational age (SGA) neonates are characterized by intravascular inflammation (T helper 1 (Th1)-biased immune response). There is controversy about the T helper 2 (Th2) response in preeclampsia and SGA. CD30, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is preferentially expressed in vitro and in vivo by activated T cells producing Th2-type cytokines. Its soluble form (sCD30) has been proposed to be an index of Th2 immune response. The objective of this study was to determine whether the maternal serum concentration of sCD30 changes with normal pregnancy, as well as in mothers with preeclampsia and those who deliver SGA neonates.

Methods. This cross-sectional study included patients in the following groups: (1) non-pregnant women (N = 49); (2) patients with a normal pregnancy (N = 89); (3) patients with preeclampsia (N = 100); and (4) patients who delivered an SGA neonate (N = 78). Maternal serum concentration of sCD30 was measured by a specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immunoassay. Non-parametric tests with post-hoc analysis were used for comparisons. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results. (1) The median sCD30 serum concentration of pregnant women was significantly higher than that of non-pregnant women (median 29.7 U/mL, range 12.2–313.2 vs. median 23.2 U/mL, range 14.6–195.1, respectively; p = 0.01). (2) Patients with preeclampsia had a significantly lower median serum concentration of sCD30 than normal pregnant women (median 24.7 U/mL, range 7.6–71.2 vs. median 29.7 U/mL, range 12.2–313.2, respectively; p < 0.05). (3) Mothers with SGA neonates had a lower median concentration of sCD30 than normal pregnant women (median 23.4 U/mL, range 7.1–105.3 vs. median 29.7 U/mL, range 12.2–313.2, respectively; p < 0.05). (4) There was no significant correlation (r = ?0.059, p = 0.5) between maternal serum sCD30 concentration and gestational age (19–38 weeks) in normal pregnant women.

Conclusions. (1) Patients with preeclampsia and those who deliver an SGA neonate had a significantly lower serum concentration of sCD30 than normal pregnant women. (2) This finding is consistent with the view that preeclampsia and SGA are associated with a polarized Th1 immune response and, perhaps, a reduced Th2 response.     

Maternal peripheral T helper 1-type and T helper 2-type immunity in women during the first trimester of twin pregnancy

Introduction This study investigated the T helper Th1:Th2 balance in twin pregnancies compared with singleton pregnancies during the first trimester.Methods Blood samples were taken from 24 women with a singleton pregnancy and 14 women with twin pregnancy at 8–9 weeks gestation to examine the ratios of Th1:Th2 and serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone levels.Results The average ratio of Th1:Th2 in the twin pregnancies was significantly lower than that in singleton pregnancies (7.3±2.3 vs. 10.5±2.2, p<0.05). There were negative correlations between the Th1:Th2 ratio and serum hCG levels (mIU/ml) (Th1:Th2 ratio = 14.5–4.52×10^–5×hCG, r²=0.41, p<0.05) and between the Th1:Th2 ratio and serum progesterone levels (ng/dl; Th1:Th2 ratio = 23.0–0.63 × progesterone, r²=0.36, p<0.05).Conclusion Our findings show marked predominance of Th2 type cytokines occurring in twin pregnancies is related to the increase in trophoblasts during the first trimester.     

Late-onset preeclampsia is associated with an imbalance of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in patients with and without placental lesions consistent with maternal underperfusion

Objective: An imbalance between maternal angiogenic/anti-angiogenic factors concentrations has been observed in preeclampsia (PE) and other obstetrical syndromes. However, the frequency of pathologic findings in the placenta and the changes in maternal plasma angiogenic/anti-angiogenic factor concentrations differ between late- and early-onset PE. The aim of this study was to determine if the maternal plasma concentrations of placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble endoglin (sEng), and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 and 2 (sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2) are different in late-onset PE with and without placental pathologic findings consistent with maternal underperfusion. Study design: A cross-sectional study was conducted including 64 uncomplicated women and 66 women with late-onset PE (>34 weeks) who had blood samples and placenta available for pathologic examination. Patients with late-onset PE were divided into those with and without placental histologic findings consistent with maternal underperfusion as proposed by the Society for Pediatric Pathology. Maternal plasma concentrations of PlGF, sEng, sVEGFR-1 and sVEGRF-2 were determined by ELISA. Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis. Results: 1) the prevalence of placental histological findings consistent with maternal underperfusion among women with late-onset PE was higher than that of those with an uncomplicated pregnancy (47% (31/66) vs. 7.8% (5/64), respectively; p?<?0.01); 2) patients with late-onset PE and histological findings consistent with maternal underperfusion had a significantly lower median plasma concentration of PlGF, plasma PlGF/sVEGFR-1 ratio and plasma PlGF/sEng ratio than those with late-onset PE without placental underperfusion lesions (each p?<?0.05); 3) the most common pathological findings in the placenta of patient with PE were lesions consistent with villous changes (77%, 24/31); and 4) isolated vascular lesions in the placenta were found only in 2 cases (6.5%), and the rest had a combination of villous and vascular lesions. Conclusions: Nearly half of the patients with late-onset PE have placental lesions consistent with maternal underperfusion. These lesions are associated with an imbalance in the maternal concentration of angiogenic/anti-angiogenic factors. We propose that there is a link between maternal underperfusion and an anti-angiogenic state characterized by the changes in the concentrations of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in women with late onset PE.     

Maternal serum soluble CD30 is increased in pregnancies complicated with acute pyelonephritis

Objectives. Normal pregnancy is characterized by activation of the innate immunity and suppression of the adaptive limb of the immune response. However, pregnant women are more susceptible to the effects of infection and microbial products than non-pregnant women. CD30 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and is preferentially expressed by activated T cells producing Th2-type cytokines. Its soluble form (sCD30) is proposed to be an index of Th2 immune response. High serum concentrations of sCD30 have been found in the acute phase of viral infections, such as HIV-1 and hepatitis B. There is, however, conflicting evidence about serum sCD30 concentration in patients with bacterial infections. The objective of this study was to determine whether there are changes in the serum concentration of sCD30 in pregnant women with pyelonephritis.

Methods. This cross-sectional study included normal pregnant women (N = 89) and pregnant women with pyelonephritis (N = 41). Maternal serum concentration of sCD30 was measured by a specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immunoassay. Non-parametric tests were used for comparisons. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results. (1) Pregnant women with pyelonephritis had a significantly higher median serum concentration of sCD30 than those with a normal pregnancy (median 44.3 U/mL, range 16–352.5 vs. median 29.7 U/mL, range 12.2–313.2, respectively; p < 0.001), and (2) No significant differences were found in the median maternal serum concentration of sCD30 between pregnant women with pyelonephritis who had a positive blood culture compared to those with a negative blood culture (median 47.7 U/mL, range 17.1–118.8 vs. median 42.6 U/mL, range 16–352.5, respectively; p = 0.86).

Conclusions. Acute pyelonephritis during pregnancy is associated with a higher maternal serum concentration of sCD30 than normal pregnancy. This finding is novel and suggests that pregnant women with pyelonephritis may have a complex immune state in which there is activation of some components of what is considered a Th2 immune response.     

Maternal plasma concentrations of the placental specific sFLT-1 variant,sFLT-1 e15a,in fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia

Objective: sFLT-1 e15a is a recently described sFlt-1 variant that is placental and primate specific. As such, it may have potential as a biomarker. Using a newly developed ELISA, we measured maternal plasma sFLT-1 e15a levels in women with fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia.

Method: We performed a nested case-control study where we measured total sFLT-1 and sFLT-1 e15a plasma protein concentrations. Samples, selected from a prospective cohort study, consisted of 87 healthy controls, 11 cases that developed term preeclampsia and 20 cases where there was fetal growth restriction. We also measured sFLT-1 and sFLT-1 e15a plasma concentrations in a separate cohort: 15 cases of preterm preeclampsia and 24 healthy controls.

Results: The prospective case-control cohort demonstrated significantly increased sFLT-1 e15a among cases with term fetal growth restriction (p?p?p?Conclusion: Plasma sFLT-1 e15a is significantly increased in early-onset preeclampsia and term fetal growth restriction. Further assessment of the benefit for sFLT-1 e15a testing in prediction or diagnosis of these disease states is warranted.     

先兆子痫患者外周血Th1 Th2细胞亚群功能变化研究

目的：探讨先兆子痫患者Th1、Th2细胞亚群功能变化。方法：采用ELISA方法检测17例先兆子痫患者及15例正常孕妇PBMC培养上清液中IFN－γ和IL－4的水平。结果：先兆子痫患者IFN－γ水平升高，差异非常显著（P＜0．01）；IL－4水平下降，差异非常显著（P＜0．001）；IFN－γ／IL－4比值升高，差异非常显著（P＜0．001）；且IFN－γ水平与平均动脉压呈显著正相关，γ为0．546（P＜0．01）；IL－4水平与平均动脉压呈显著负相关，γ为－0．544（P＜0．01）；IFN－γ/IL-4比值与平均动脉压呈显著正相关，γ为0．786（P＜0．01）。结论：先兆子痫患者Th1、Th2细胞亚群功能失衡，与病情密切相关。     

The change in concentrations of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in maternal plasma between the first and second trimesters in risk assessment for the subsequent development of preeclampsia and small-for-gestational age.

INTRODUCTION: An imbalance between angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors has been proposed as central to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE). Indeed, patients with PE and those delivering small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates have higher plasma concentrations of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) and the soluble form of endoglin (s-Eng), as well as lower plasma concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF) than do patients with normal pregnancies. Of note, this imbalance has been observed before the clinical presentation of PE or the delivery of an SGA neonate. The objective of this study was to determine if changes in the profile of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in maternal plasma between the first and second trimesters are associated with a high risk for the subsequent development of PE and/or delivery of an SGA neonate. METHODS: This longitudinal case-control study included 402 singleton pregnancies in the following groups: (1) normal pregnancies with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates (n = 201); (2) patients who delivered an SGA neonate (n = 145); and (3) patients who developed PE (n = 56). Maternal plasma samples were obtained at the time of each prenatal visit, scheduled at 4-week intervals from the first or early second trimester until delivery. In this study, we included two samples per patient: (1) first sample obtained between 6 and 15 weeks of gestation ('first trimester' sample), and (2) second sample obtained between 20 and 25 weeks of gestation ('second trimester' sample). Plasma concentrations of s-Eng, sVEGFR-1, and PlGF were determined by specific and sensitive immunoassays. Changes in the maternal plasma concentrations of these angiogenesis-related factors were compared among normal patients and those destined to develop PE or deliver an SGA neonate while adjusting for maternal age, nulliparity, and body mass index. General linear models and polytomous logistic regression models were used to relate the analyte concentrations, ratios, and product to the subsequent development of PE and SGA. RESULTS: (1) An increase in the maternal plasma concentration of s-Eng between the first and second trimesters conferred risk for the development of preterm PE and SGA (OR 14.9, 95% CI 4.9-45.0 and OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5-5.6, respectively). (2) An increase in the maternal plasma concentration of sVEGFR-1 between the first and second trimester conferred risk for the development of preterm PE (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.2-12.6). (3) A subnormal increase in maternal plasma PlGF concentration between the first and the second trimester was a risk factor for the subsequent development of preterm and term PE (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.2-15.5 and OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-5.9, respectively). (4) In addition, the combination of the three analytes into a pro-angiogenic versus anti-angiogenic ratio (PlGF/(s-Eng x VEGFR-1)) conferred risk for the subsequent development of preterm PE (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.1-12.1). (5) Importantly, patients with a high change in the s-Eng x sVEGFR-1 product had an OR of 10.4 (95% CI 3.2-33.8) for the development of preterm PE and 1.6 (95% CI 1.0-2.6) for the development of SGA. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the maternal plasma concentrations of s-Eng, sVEGFR-1, PlGF or their ratios between the first and second trimesters of pregnancy confer an increased risk to deliver an SGA neonate and/or develop PE.     

Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg levels in umbilical cord blood in preeclampsia

Introduction: Preeclampsia is one of the major causes of maternal and neonatal mortality. During pregnancy, the immune system must maintain the tolerance to the fetus, thus changes in the cytokine balance may result in a disturbed pregnancy. T helper cells play an important role in modulation of the immune system and are involved in this cytokine balance.

Objective: Many studies have been performed to study the T cell composition in different compartments during pregnancy, although this is the first study in which T cells are evaluated in umbilical cord blood.

Study design: Intracellular expression of INF-gamma, IL-17, IL-4 and forkhead foxP3 in CD4+ T cells was evaluated in umbilical blood from healthy pregnant and preeclamptic women using a flow cytometer.

Results: Th2 and Treg cells levels were significantly diminished in preeclamptic compared to the healthy women, but no difference in Th1 and Th17 levels were found between both groups.

Conclusions: Our data suggest that the cytokine balance is broken, encouraging the development of an exacerbated inflammatory response. Our results show that there is a shift, in the Th1/Th2, and the Th17/Treg balance, favoring skewness towards a proinflammatory status in the umbilical cord blood in preeclampsia.     

Th1／Th2型细胞因子在药物流产绒毛和蜕膜组织中的表达

目的了解米非司酮药物流产局部绒毛、蜕膜组织中Th1／Th2型细胞因子的表达,进一步探讨药物流产发病机制。方法Th1／Th2型细胞因子以白介素-2（Interleukin-2,IL-2）、干扰素-γ（Interferon gamma,INF-γ）／白介素-4（Interleukin-4,IL-4）、白介素-10（Interleukin-10：IL-10）为代表,采用原位杂交及免疫组化方法对40例药物流产患者绒毛和蜕膜中IL-2、INF-γ、IL-4、IL-10的表达进行检测（实验组）,利用计算机CMIAS系统,表达指标以阳性数密度（N／S）计算,并与40例正常人工流产的绒毛和蜕膜组织比较（对照组）。结果原位杂交显示实验组绒毛组织IL-2、INF-γ、IL-4、IL-10分别为[（0．003±0．001）、（0．0027±0．0007）、（0．0±0．0）、（0．031±0．008）],与对照组[（0．0027±0．001）、（0．0028±0．0007）、（0.0±0．0）、（0．042±0．011）]比较,IL-10差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。蜕膜组织实验组IL-2、INF-γ、IL-4、IL-10[（0.0±0.0）、（0.0±0．0）／（0．029±0．010）、（0．028±0．010）]与对照组[（0.0±0．0）、（0．0±0．0）／（0．031±0．005）、（0．032±0．006）]比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。免疫组化结果显示与原位杂交一致。结论绒毛组织Th1／Th2型细胞因子与流产有关,蜕膜组织Th1／Th2型细胞因子与药物流产无关,绒毛组织Th1／Th2平衡失调是米非司酮导致流产的机制之一。     

An imbalance between angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors precedes fetal death in a subset of patients: results of a longitudinal study

Objective.?Women with a fetal death at the time of diagnosis have higher maternal plasma concentrations of the anti-angiogenic factor, soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sVEGFR)-1, than women with a normal pregnancy. An important question is whether these changes are the cause or consequence of fetal death. To address this issue, we conducted a longitudinal study and measured the maternal plasma concentrations of selective angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors before the diagnosis of a fetal death. The anti-angiogenic factors studied were sVEGFR-1 and soluble endoglin (sEng), and the angiogenic factor, placental growth factor (PlGF).

Methods.?This retrospective longitudinal nested case–control study included 143 singleton pregnancies in the following groups: (1) patients with uncomplicated pregnancies who delivered a term infant with an appropriate weight for gestational age (n?=?124); and (2) patients who had a fetal death (n?=?19). Blood samples were collected at each prenatal visit, scheduled at 4-week intervals from the first trimester until delivery. Plasma concentrations of sVEGFR-1, sEng, and PlGF were determined by specific and sensitive ELISA. A linear mixed-effects model was used for analysis.

Results.?(1) The average profiles of analyte concentrations as a function of gestational age for sVEGFR-1, sEng and PlGF were different between women destined to have a fetal death and those with a normal pregnancy after adjusting for covariates (p?<?0.05); (2) Plasma sVEGFR-1 concentrations in patients destined to have a fetal death were significantly lower between 7 and 11 weeks of gestation and became significantly higher than those of women with a normal pregnancy between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation (p?<?0.05); (3) Similarly, plasma sEng concentrations of women destined to have a fetal death were lower at 7 weeks of gestation (p?=?0.04) and became higher than those of controls between 20 and 40 weeks of gestation (p?<?0.05); (4) In contrast, plasma PlGF concentrations were higher among patients destined to develop a fetal death between 7 and 14 weeks of gestation and became significantly lower than those in the control group between 22 and 39 weeks of gestation (p?<?0.05); (5) The ratio of PlGF/(sVEGFR-1?×?sEng) was significantly higher in women destined to have a fetal death between 7 and 13 weeks of gestation (94–781%) and significantly lower (44–75%) than those in normal pregnant women between 20 and 40 weeks of gestation (p?<?0.05); (6) Similar results were obtained when patients with a fetal death were stratified into those who were diagnosed before or after 37 weeks of gestation.

Conclusions.?Fetal death is characterised by higher maternal plasma concentrations of PlGF during the first trimester compared to normal pregnancy. This profile changes into an anti-angiogenic one during the second and third trimesters.     

Th1型/Th2型细胞因子对人孕早期蜕膜的免疫调节作用

目的 :研究Th1型 /Th2型细胞因子对人孕早期蜕膜细胞活性及TGFβ1和PRL分泌的影响。方法 :蜕膜细胞活性采用MTT法进行检测 ,蜕膜组织分泌TGFβ1和PRL的活性分别采用ELISA法和RIA进行分析测定。结果 :Th1型细胞因子IFNγ低浓度时 ( 1～ 10ng/ml)对蜕膜细胞活性及PRL分泌有促进作用 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,高浓度时 ( 10 0～ 10 0 0ng/ml)则有抑制作用 (P <0 .0 1) ;IFNγ在一定剂量范围内 ( 10～ 10 0 0ng/ml)还可抑制TGFβ1的分泌 (P <0 .0 1)。而Th2型细胞因子IL 4在一定浓度范围内 ( 1～ 10ng/ml)可明显促进蜕膜的分泌活性 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :Th1型 /Th2型细胞因子可能是通过影响蜕膜细胞活性及TGFβ1和PRL分泌而在早期妊娠中起重要的免疫调节作用     

卵巢癌患者血浆中Th1/Th2类细胞因子的检测

探讨卵巢癌患者血浆中Th1/Th2类细胞因子失调及其临床意义。方法 :用ELISA法检测了 2 5例卵巢癌及 15例健康妇女血浆中IL - 2、IFN -γ、IL - 6和IL - 10水平。结果 :卵巢癌患者较健康妇女血浆中IL - 2水平明显降低 ,而IL - 6和IL - 10明显升高 ,且这种变化随临床期别的升高更加明显。结论 :卵巢癌患者外周血中Th1/Th2类细胞因子失调 ,在卵巢癌的发生发展中可能起重要作用。