The immunosuppressive cytokines influence the fetal survival in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension

PROBLEM: The present study examines the hypothesis that the elevated levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) and interleukin (IL)-10 would be protective for the fetus survival during pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Moreover, we evaluate the IL-12 and IL-15 serum concentrations and t heir relationships with PIH. METHOD OF STUDY: Serum samples were obtained before the onset of labor from control and PIH groups. Cytokine concentrations were determined by Enzyme- Linked Immunoadsorbent Assay. RESULTS: Our data show that PIH women have significantly higher TGF-beta(1) and IL-10 concentrations with respect to control groups (P = 0.0001). Simi larly, macrophages from the PIH placentas produce in vitro more elevated TG F-beta(1) and IL-10 levels compared to normal pregnant ones (P = 0.02), als o in the absence of LPS stimulation. IL-12 and IL-15 serum concentrations w ere not detectable in all pregnant groups. CONCLUSION: We have found that PIH women have elevated concentrations of an ti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive cytokines, suggesting their important rol e in fetal allograft protection during the normal and pathological pregnanc y.