B7 Costimulation and Intracellular Indoleamine‐2,3‐Dioxygenase Expression in Peripheral Blood of Healthy Pregnant and Pre‐Eclamptic Women

Abstract

Lower expression of B7-1 and B7-2 proteins on peripheral monocytes in PE might indicate a secondary regulatory mechanism in response to the ongoing systemic maternal inflammation. IDO plays an important role in the pregnancy-specific immune tolerance, and might be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of PE.

B7 costimulation and intracellular indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression in peripheral blood of healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women

“…The increase in IDO activity in HP (represented by the elevated K/T ratio) corresponds well with our finding of higher IDO-expressing T cell and monocyte numbers in HP. Interestingly, although the prevalence of IDO-producing T cells was decreased in our earlier study in PE compared to HP [22], KYN, KYNA and TRP levels, as well as the K/T ratio were comparable in HP and PE (1.55 (1.31-1.83) vs. 1.67 (1.33-1.93) uM, 18.8 (15.0-23.0) vs. 22.3 (16.7-28.5) nM, 38.6 (33.9-42.5) vs. 37.1 (30.0-41.3) uM, 0.041 (0.038-0.045) vs. 0.044 (0.036-0.049), respectively). Hence, the alterations observed in the frequency of IDO-producing cells are not reflected by the enzymatic activity of IDO in PE, in contrast to HP.…”

Soluble B7‐H4 blood serum levels are elevated in women at high risk for preeclampsia in the first trimester, as well as in patients with confirmed preeclampsia

“…21,36 However, there are no reports concerning the determination of sB7-H7 serum levels in the first trimester of pregnancy and the later development of placental F I G U R E 2 Box plots illustrating the distribution of soluble B7-H4 blood serum concentration levels (ng/mL) in women in the third trimester of women with early-onset PE (n = 15), lateonset PE (n = 29), FGR (n = 50) and uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 72). 21,36 However, there are no reports concerning the determination of sB7-H7 serum levels in the first trimester of pregnancy and the later development of placental F I G U R E 2 Box plots illustrating the distribution of soluble B7-H4 blood serum concentration levels (ng/mL) in women in the third trimester of women with early-onset PE (n = 15), lateonset PE (n = 29), FGR (n = 50) and uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 72).…”

“…Only a few reports have described the role of the B7 family members in the pathogenesis of placental dysfunction, and all available studies examined the third trimester of pregnancy. 21,36 However, there are no reports concerning the determination of sB7-H7 serum levels in the first trimester of pregnancy and the later development of placental F I G U R E 2 Box plots illustrating the distribution of soluble B7-H4 blood serum concentration levels (ng/mL) in women in the third trimester of women with early-onset PE (n = 15), lateonset PE (n = 29), FGR (n = 50) and uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 72). Statistically significant higher serum levels of sB7-H4 were observed in women with early-onset PE and late-onset PE compared to healthy controls (P = .01 and P = .03, respectively) but not in FGR (P = .13)…”

“…Toldi et al determined the frequency of activated monocytes expressing B7-1 and B7-2 in peripheral blood samples from normal pregnant women and preeclamptic women in the third trimester 36. The frequency of B7-1 and B7-2 expressing activated monocytes was lower in PE, showing that these B7-family proteins are not affected in the development of PE 36.…”

Relationship between Maternal Immunological Response during Pregnancy and Onset of Preeclampsia

“…Interestingly, blockade of B7-1 and B7-2 at the time of murine implantation has been reported to induce the inhibition of maternal fetus rejection in abortion-prone CBA/JxDBA/2 matings [76]. Moreover, the frequency of B7-1 and B7-2 expressing activated monocytes in peripheral blood of preeclamptic patients is lower than in normal pregnant woman [77]. …”