Serum cytokines profiles in Iranian patients with preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia is a major cause of mortality and morbidity and is also a leading cause of preterm birth and intrauterine growth retardation. Several studies have reported abnormal levels of cytokines in women with preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES

To detect serum levels of various cytokines in pregnant women with and without preeclampsia in the third trimester of pregnancy.

METHODS

Thirty patients with preeclampsia and thirty normal pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken and serum levels of IFN gamma, IL-12p70, IL-18, IL-15, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Preeclamptic women had significantly increased levels of circulating IL-12p70 (p < 0.05), IL-18 (p < 0.001), IL-4 (p < 0.001), IL-15 (p < 0.05) and IFN gamma (p < 0.001). By contrast, circulating levels of IL-10 were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study supports the hypothesis of altered immune response in preeclampsia and suggests that dysregulation of cytokine expression occurs in preeclampsia with increased levels of IFN gamma, IL-12p70, IL-15, IL-18 and IL-4.