The expressions of intracellular cytokines in the lymphocytes of preeclamptic patients.

PURPOSE

The objective of the study was to investigate the intracellular expressions of T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines in peripheral blood T lymhocytes and natural killer (NK) cells of patients with preeclampsia and women with uncomplicated pregnancy.

METHOD OF STUDY

Blood samples were taken from 20 patients with preeclampsia and 16 healthy pregnant women. Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood and stimulated for 5 hr at 37 degrees C and 5% CO2. Next, the cells were stained with antibodies against surface markers of T-cell subsets and NK cells. After fixation and permeabilization processes, the cells were stained with antibodies against intracellular cytokines--interleukin-2 (Il-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) as well as Il-10 and Il-4. The intracellular expressions of Th1 and Th2 cytokines were determined using the flow cytometric method. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U-test.

RESULTS

We found that in patients with preeclampsia the expressions of Il-2 were significantly higher when compared with women with uncomplicated pregnancy. Furthermore, in the group of patients with preeclampsia the expressions of Il-2 were higher in T CD 8+ lymphocytes than in T CD4+ cells. The expressions of IFN-gamma did not differ in CD4+ cells and CD8+ cells in both studied groups but they were higher in NK cells in the study group. The expressions of Il-10 were lower in lymphocytes of preeclamptic patients when compared with controls. The expressions of Il-4 did not differ in both studied groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that in patients with preeclampsia there is Th1/Th2 imbalance, with predominant Th1 immunity.