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Thromb Haemost 2001; 86(05): 1272-1276
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1616061
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Increased Concentrations of Soluble CD40 Ligand, RANTES and GRO-α in Preeclampsia – Possible Role of Platelet Activation

Jan Roar Mellembakken
1   Department of Pediatric Research, Oslo
2   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo
,
Nils Olav Solum
3   Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo
,
Thor Ueland
3   Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo
4   Section of Endocrinology, Oslo
,
Vibeke Videm
5   Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
,
Pål Aukrust
3   Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo
6   Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Department, The National Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo
› Author AffiliationsSupported by grants from the Norwegian Research Council and the Foundations of Alexander Malthe, Blix Family, Nansen and UNIFOR.
Further Information

Publication History

Received 12 March 2001

Accepted after resubmission 31 July 2001

Publication Date:
13 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Activated platelets may release inflammatory mediators that activate leukocytes and trigger inflammatory reactions in endothelial cells. We examined the concentrations of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and the chemokines RANTES and GRO-α in platelet-free plasma (PFP), and unstimulated and SFLLRN-stimulated platelet-rich plasma (PRP), as well as in platelet pellets before stimulation using enzyme immunoassays. Nineteen women with normal and twenty-one with preeclamptic pregnancies were studied, and several differences between these two groups of pregnancies were revealed (1). Women with preeclampsia had significantly increased concentrations of sCD40L and GRO-α in PFP (2). Platelets from these patients spontaneously released larger quantities of CD40L and RANTES ex vivo (3). When further activated ex vivo by SFLLRN, platelets from preeclamptic women released lower amounts per platelet of CD40L, RANTES and GRO-α (4). The platelet pellets in preeclamptic women contained decreased amounts of CD40L, RANTES and GRO-α per platelet. Our findings suggest enhanced platelet activation in vivo during preeclampsia resulting in increased release of inflammatory mediators, possibly contributing to inflammation, leukocyte activation and endothelial dysfunction in this disorder.

Keywords

Preeclampsia - platelets - CD40L - RANTES - GRO-α - SFLLRN
 

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