Preeclampsia is associated with lower percentages of regulatory T cells in maternal blood

JR Prins, HM Boelens, J Heimweg… - Hypertension in …, 2009 - Taylor & Francis
JR Prins, HM Boelens, J Heimweg, S Van der Heide, AE Dubois, AJ Van Oosterhout
Hypertension in pregnancy, 2009Taylor & Francis
Objective: Immunological mechanisms are involved in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.
During pregnancy there is an increase in regulatory T (Treg) cells, which has an important
role in regulating tolerance to the immunologically distinct fetus. We hypothesised that
percentages of Treg cells are decreased in preeclamptic patients. Methods: Peripheral
blood was obtained from 26 healthy pregnant controls and 18 preeclamptic patients. Treg
cells were measured using flow-cytometry. Results: Women with pregnancies complicated …
Objective: Immunological mechanisms are involved in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. During pregnancy there is an increase in regulatory T (Treg) cells, which has an important role in regulating tolerance to the immunologically distinct fetus. We hypothesised that percentages of Treg cells are decreased in preeclamptic patients. Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from 26 healthy pregnant controls and 18 preeclamptic patients. Treg cells were measured using flow-cytometry. Results: Women with pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia had significantly lower percentages of CD4+FOXP3+ Treg cells. Conclusion: We conclude that a deficiency of regulatory T cells may play a role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.
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