Maternal serum soluble CD30 is increased in normal pregnancy, but decreased in preeclampsia and small for gestational age pregnancies

Juan Pedro Kusanovic, Roberto Romero, Sonia S. Hassan, Francesca Gotsch, Samuel Edwin, Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa, Offer Erez, Pooja Mittal, Shali Mazaki-Tovi, Eleazar Soto, Nandor Gabor Than, Lara A. Friel, Bo Hyun Yoon, Jimmy Espinoza

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective. Women with preeclampsia and those who deliver small for gestational age (SGA) neonates are characterized by intravascular inflammation (T helper 1 (Th1)-biased immune response). There is controversy about the T helper 2 (Th2) response in preeclampsia and SGA. CD30, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is preferentially expressed in vitro and in vivo by activated T cells producing Th2-type cytokines. Its soluble form (sCD30) has been proposed to be an index of Th2 immune response. The objective of this study was to determine whether the maternal serum concentration of sCD30 changes with normal pregnancy, as well as in mothers with preeclampsia and those who deliver SGA neonates. Methods. This cross-sectional study included patients in the following groups: (1) non-pregnant women (N=49); (2) patients with a normal pregnancy (N=89); (3) patients with preeclampsia (N=100); and (4) patients who delivered an SGA neonate (N=78). Maternal serum concentration of sCD30 was measured by a specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immunoassay. Non-parametric tests with post-hoc analysis were used for comparisons. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. (1) The median sCD30 serum concentration of pregnant women was significantly higher than that of non-pregnant women (median 29.7U/mL, range 12.2-313.2 vs. median 23.2U/mL, range 14.6-195.1, respectively; p=0.01). (2) Patients with preeclampsia had a significantly lower median serum concentration of sCD30 than normal pregnant women (median 24.7U/mL, range 7.6-71.2 vs. median 29.7U/mL, range 12.2-313.2, respectively; p<0.05). (3) Mothers with SGA neonates had a lower median concentration of sCD30 than normal pregnant women (median 23.4U/mL, range 7.1-105.3 vs. median 29.7U/mL, range 12.2-313.2, respectively; p<0.05). (4) There was no significant correlation (r=-0.059, p=0.5) between maternal serum sCD30 concentration and gestational age (19-38 weeks) in normal pregnant women. Conclusions. (1) Patients with preeclampsia and those who deliver an SGA neonate had a significantly lower serum concentration of sCD30 than normal pregnant women. (2) This finding is consistent with the view that preeclampsia and SGA are associated with a polarized Th1 immune response and, perhaps, a reduced Th2 response.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)867-878
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
Volume20
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 10 Dec 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Preeclampsia
  • SGA
  • Small for gestational age neonate
  • Th2 immune response
  • sCD30

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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