Serum Cytokines Profiles in Iranian Patients with Preeclampsia

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: Preeclampsia is a major cause of mortality and morbidity and is also a leading cause of preterm birth and intrauterine growth retardation. Several studies have reported abnormal levels of cytokines in women with preeclampsia. <br/><b>Objectives</b>: To detect serum levels of various cytokines in pregnant women with and without preeclampsia in the third trimester of pregnancy. <br/><b>Methods</b>: Thirty patients with preeclampsia and thirty normal pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken and serum levels of IFN γ, IL-12p70, IL-18, IL-15, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). <br/><b>Results</b>: Preeclamptic women had significantly increased levels of circulating IL-12p70 (p < 0.05), IL-18 (p < 0.001), IL-4 (p < 0.001), IL-15 (p < 0.05) and IFN γ (p < 0.001). By contrast, circulating levels of IL-10 were not significantly different between the two groups. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: The present study supports the hypothesis of altered immune response in preeclampsia and suggests that dysregulation of cytokine expression occurs in preeclampsia with increased levels of IFN γ, IL-12p70, IL-15, IL-18 and IL-4.