Circulatory nucleosome levels are significantly increased in early and late-onset preeclampsia.

INTRODUCTION

Elevations in circulatory DNA, as measured by real-time PCR, have been observed in pregnancies with manifest preeclampsia. Recent reports have indicated that circulatory nucleosome levels are elevated in the periphery of cancer patients. We have now examined whether circulatory nucleosome levels are similarly elevated in cases with preeclampsia.

METHODS

Maternal plasma samples were prepared from 17 cases with early onset preeclampsia (<34 weeks gestation) with 14 matched normotensive controls, as well as 15 cases late-onset preeclampsia (>34 weeks gestation) with 10 matched normotensive controls. Levels of circulatory nucleosomes were quantified by commercial ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay).

RESULTS

The level of circulatory nucleosomes was significantly elevated in both study preeclampsia groups, compared to the matched normotensive control group (p = 0.000 and p = 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggests that preeclampsia is associated with the elevated presence of circulatory nucleosomes, and that this phenomenon occurs in both early- and late-onset forms of the disorder.