IngentaConnect Does endothelial cell activation occur with intrauterine growth r...

Authors: Johnson, M.R.¹; Anim-Nyame, N.¹; Johnson, P.²; Sooranna, S.R.¹; Steer, P.J.¹

Source: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Volume 109, Number 7, July 2002 , pp. 836-839(4)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Abstract:

It is possible that in fetal growth restriction without pre-eclampsia endothelial cell activation does not occur. This might be either because there is no release of `factor X' or because of maternal resistance to its effects. To test this hypothesis, we took blood samples from 26 women with pre-eclampsia (without fetal growth restriction), 13 women with fetal growth restriction (without pre-eclampsia) and 24 normal pregnant controls, and measured the circulating levels of three markers of endothelial cell activation (soluble VCAM, ICAM and E-selectin) and three cytokines [tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and -8 (IL-8)]. The levels of the markers of endothelial cell activation were raised in both pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction pregnancies compared with controls; however, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly raised in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia, but not in fetal growth restriction, compared with controls. These data show that endothelial cell activation is common to both pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction, but that the circulating levels of cytokines are elevated only in pre-eclampsia. Thus, it seems likely that endothelial cell activation is a consequence of a failure of trophoblast invasion and that a further step is required, possibly involving cytokine release, for the expression of the full clinical picture of pre-eclampsia.

Document Type: Short communication

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2002.01045.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK 2: Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, UK

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$50.39 plus tax Refund Policy

Does endothelial cell activation occur with intrauterine growth restriction?