ABSTRACT
Our aim was to investigate the CD40-CD40 ligand system in preeclamptic women. We also studied CD62P and platelet-monocyte aggregates, which have been closely linked to the CD40-CD40L system. Platelet expression of CD40L and CD62P and expression of CD40 on monocytes and platelet-monocyte aggregates were determined by flow cytometry in whole blood from 23 preeclamptic women, 23 normotensive pregnant women, and 23 nonpregnant women. The preeclamptic women showed a significant increase in CD40L and CD62P on platelets and in CD40 on monocytes when compared with normotensive pregnant women and nonpregnant women (all P < .001). There was a significant increase in platelet-monocyte aggregates in preeclamptic women (P < .001) and normotensive pregnant women (P = .003) compared with nonpregnant women. Preeclampsia is associated with activation of the CD40-CD40L system. The activation of this system may contribute to the development or maintenance of the proinflammatory and prothrombotic milieu found in preeclampsia.
Subject(s)
Blood Platelets/chemistry , CD40 Antigens/blood , CD40 Ligand/blood , Flow Cytometry , Monocytes/chemistry , Pre-Eclampsia/blood , Pregnancy/blood , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Cell Aggregation , Female , HELLP Syndrome/blood , Humans , Inflammation/etiology , P-Selectin/blood , Platelet Activation , Pre-Eclampsia/physiopathology , Pregnancy Complications/etiology , Thrombophilia/etiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) system in women with pre-eclampsia. METHODS: Expression of CD40 on monocytes and expression of CD40 and CD40L on platelets were determined by whole blood flow cytometry in 23 women with pre-eclampsia and in 23 normotensive pregnant women. Serum levels of soluble CD40L in both groups of women were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher expression of CD40 and CD40L on platelets and CD40 on monocytes in the women with pre-eclampsia compared with normotensive pregnant women (P<0.001 for all comparisons). The serum concentration of soluble CD40L was significantly higher in women with pre-eclampsia compared with normotensive pregnant women (P=0.012). CONCLUSION: Pre-eclampsia is associated with activation of the CD40-CD40L system. The activation of this system may contribute to the development or maintenance of the proinflammatory and prothrombotic responses, increased cytokine production, and endothelial cell dysfunction found in pre-eclampsia.
