Endothelial cell lesion in preeclampsia - Morphofunctional study using umbilical endothelial cells

Morphofunctional study of umbilical cords from pregnancies complicated by p reeclampsia shows both activation and lesion of endothelium. The cellular f indings in umbilical cords from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia can be summarized as: (i) higher number of cells with secretion bladders and i ncrease in the number and size of both secretion bladders and microvilli-li ke protrusions; (ii) increase in collagen, fibrin, fibronectin and lipidic vesicles in the vessel wall; (iii) vacuolization of endothelial cells; (iv) presence of lipidic vacuoles and lipophages in the vessel wall; (v) erosio n and disorganisation of the endothelium that exposes extracellular protein s to the blood flow. Endothelial cell cultures from preeclamptic pregnancie s show kinetic disorders and cell detachment. The results confirm that an e ndothelial cell lesion occurs in preeclampsia and this cellular disorder ca n be reproduced in vitro.