ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Leukocyte Activation and Circulating Leukocyte‐Derived Microparticles in Preeclampsia

Problem  Preeclampsia shows characteristics of an inflammatory disease including leukocyte activation. Analyses of leukocyte‐derived microparticles (MP) and mRNA expression of inflammation‐related genes in leukocytes may establish which subgroups of leukocytes contribute to the development of preeclampsia. Method of Study  Blood samples were obtained from preeclamptic patients, normotensive pregnant and non‐pregnant controls. sL‐selectin and elastase were measured by ELISA. mRNA was isolated from leukocytes and gene expression was determined by multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA). MP were characterized by flow cytometry. Results  Altered concentrations of sL‐selectin and elastase confirmed leukocyte activation in preeclampsia. These leukocytes showed up‐regulation of Nuclear Factor of Kappa light chain gene enhancer in B Cells inhibitor (NFκB‐1A) and cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKN)‐1A compared with normotensive pregnant women. interleukin‐1 Receptor Antagonist (IL‐1RA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐R1 were increased compared with those in non‐pregnant controls. Monocyte‐derived MP were elevated in preeclamptic patients compared with pregnant women. The numbers of cytotoxic T‐cell‐derived and granulocyte‐derived MP were elevated compared with those of non‐pregnant women. Conclusion  Leukocytes are activated in preeclampsia. A pro‐inflammatory gene expression profile is not prominent, although differences in mRNA expression can be detected. Increased levels of particular subsets of leukocyte‐derived MP reflect activation of their parental cells in preeclampsia.