Cytokine expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes indicates a switch to Thelper cells in patients with preeclampsia

We sought to determine whether cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is altered in patients with preeclampsia and in patients with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Twenty-four patients with preeclampsia and twenty patients with a history of RSA were included into the study. Two control groups consisted of twenty healthy pregnant and twenty healthy non-pregnant women. The intracellular expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by flow cytometry as a measure of cytokine production. IL-2 synthesis was significantly elevated in the third trimester in preeclamptic patients in comparison with the control group. Non-pregnant women with RSA showed a significantly lower expression of IFN-γ compared to the non-pregnant control group. Our data suggest an abnormal immune response in preeclamptic patients characterised by a shift to a predominantly Th1-type immunity.