Phenotypic and metabolic characteristics of monocytes and granulocytes in preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: The maternal syndrome of preeclampsia has recently been attribut ed to a systemic intravascular inflammatory response and endothelial cell a ctivation and dysfunction. This novel hypothesis has considerable clinical and biological implications. This study was designed to determine whether w omen with preeclampsia have evidence of intravascular inflammation by exami nation of the phenotypic and metabolic activity of granulocytes and monocyt es. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was performed that included patients with preeclampsia (n = 31) and normal pregnancies (n = 58) matched for gest ational age at blood draw. Intravascular inflammation was studied with use of flow cytometry. Peripheral venous blood was assayed to determine granulo cyte and monocyte phenotype with the use of monoclonal antibodies for selec tive cluster differentiation (CD) antigens. The panel of antibodies include d CD11b, CD14, CD16, CD18, CD49d, CD62L, CD64, CD66b, and HLA-DR, The quant ity of basal intracellular reactive oxygen species and oxidative burst was assessed. Results were reported as mean channel brightness or intensity of detected fluorescence. Analysis was conducted with nonparametric statistics . A P value < .01 was considered to be significant. RESULTS: Preeclampsia was associated with a significant increase in mean ch annel brightness for CD11b on granulocytes and monocytes but lower mean cha nnel brightness for CD62L on granulocytes than those from women with normal pregnancy (P < .01 for each). Basal intracellular reactive oxygen species were increased in monocytes but not in granulocytes. The oxidative burst wa s higher in both cell types. CONCLUSION: Preeclampsia is associated with phenotypic and metabolic change s in granulocytes and monocytes.