SOLUBLE TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR RECEPTOR IN SERUM AND URINE THROUGHOUT NORMAL-PREGNANCY AND AT DELIVERY

PROBLEM: To determine the concentration of the two soluble tumor necro sis factor receptors (sTNFR), sp55 and sp75, in healthy pregnant women . METHOD: Serum and urine samples were longitudinally collected from a group of pregnant women (N = 53) five times throughout pregnancy. Mat ernal and umbilical sera were obtained from some of the deliveries (N = 31). The samples were analysed using ELISA based on two monoclonal a ntibodies (IV4E and 3H5) against the soluble tumor necrosis factor rec eptors (sp55 and sp75). RESULTS: Serum concentration of sp55 and sp75 were increased in pregnant women compared to that of nonpregnant contr ols, Concentration of both sTNFRs increased towards term, Labor was as sociated with further increase of sp55. Concentrations of sp55 and sp7 5 in umbilical serum were significantly higher than those of maternal serum. Significant correlations were observed between maternal and umb ilical sTNFR concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests t hat pregnancy is associated with an activation of mechanisms regulatin g the biological activities of TNF.