Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether DNA-associated micro-particles (MPs) in maternal plasma express fetal-derived human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) or placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) and whether the levels differ between women with normotensive pregnancies and preeclampsia. Methods: DNA-associated MPs expressing HLA-G or PLAP were examined in the plasma of normal pregnant women and preeclamptic patients using flow cytometric analysis. Results: DNA-associated HLA-G+ MPs were significantly increased in maternal plasma compared to plasma from non-pregnant controls (p < 0.005), with highest levels found in the first and second trimesters. DNA-associated PLAP+ MPs were also increased in maternal plasma compared to plasma from non-pregnant controls (p < 0.006), with highest levels in the second and third trimesters. Term preeclamptic women had higher levels of DNA-associated MPs than control pregnant women. HLA-G+ MPs from the plasma of preeclamptic women had more DNA per MP than HLA-G+ MPs from the plasma of normal pregnant women (p < 0.03). Conclusions: HLA-G+ and PLAP+ MPs increase in maternal circulation at different times during gestation. DNA amounts per HLA-G+ MP increase in preeclamptic women which might indicate dysfunctional extravillous cytotrophoblasts.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 891-897 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Placenta |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Apoptotic micro-particles
- DNA-associated micro-particles
- Extravillous cytotrophoblast
- Fetal DNA
- HLA-G
- PLAP
- Preeclampsia
- Syncytiotrophoblast
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Developmental Biology