Search

Problem: The aim of this study was to evaluate the soluble programmed death-ligand (sPD-L1) and soluble B7-H4 (sB7-H4) serum concentration levels longitudinal throughout the three trimesters of uncomplicated pregnancies. Method of the study: sPD-L1 and sB7-H4 levels were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The patients (n = 26) were divided into three groups according to the pregnancy trimester. Among 26 women involved in the study 14 had longitudinal sB7-H4 and sPD-L1 measurements in each trimester of pregnancy. Results: During the course of pregnancy, the sB7-H4 blood serum levels were significant higher in second trimester than in first and third trimester, whereas sPD-L1 levels increased significantly over the course of pregnancy. Conclusion: The highest serum levels of sPD-L1 in the third trimester suggest increasing suppression of maternal immunity throughout pregnancy, whereas elevated sB7-H4 concentration levels in second trimester suggests different profile of T-cell regulation in physiological pregnancy.

Background B7-H4, a checkpoint molecule of the B7 family, regulates a broad spectrum such as T-cell activation, cytokine secretion, tumour progression and invasion capacities. Our previous data revealed that soluble B7-H4 (sB7-H4) blood serum levels are elevated in women at high risk for the hypertensive pregnancy disorder preeclampsia (PE) in the first trimester, as well as in patients with confirmed early/ late-onset PE. Aim We here aim to investigate the expression pattern of B7-H4 in placental tissues of PE and HELLP Syndrome versus control group. Methods B7-H4 protein expression and localization were investigated by immunoblotting as well as co-immunohistochemistry in placental chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissues. Results B7-H4 protein was prominently expressed at the cell membrane, in the cytoplasm of the syncytiotrophoblast (STB) and interstitial extravillous trophoblast (EVT). B7-H4 protein levels in placental chorionic villous tissue was significantly higher in women with early-onset/late-onset PE and HELLP, while it was decreased in decidual basalis tissues of early-onset PE and HELLP compared to controls. Conclusion B7-H4 was inversely expressed in placental chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissues of PE and HELLP patients. The increase of B7-H4 in the STB in PE and HELLP may lead to excessive apical expression and release of soluble B7-H4 in the maternal circulation. In contrast, the decrease of B7-H4 in decidual basalis tissues could be related to the decrease in invasion ability of the EVT in PE. Thus, the current results strongly suggest that B7-H4 is involved in the pathogenesis of PE and HELLP.

Problem The aim of this study was to evaluate the sCEACAM1 concentrations in serum from patients in the first trimester who have a high risk for developing PE during pregnancy. Method of the study Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) levels were determined with ELISA. The patients (n = 109) were divided into two groups: patients who have a high risk of developing PE early-onset and a control group. Patients who have a high risk of developing PE were then divided into two subgroups depending on PE development in third trimester of pregnancy: PE in third trimester versus no PE in third trimester. Results sCEACAM1 concentrations in patients who were screened as having a high risk for developing PE were significantly higher than in healthy pregnant women in the first trimester (p = .03). The highest sCEACAM1 concentration was found in the high-risk group with PE development compared to the control group (p = .004). Conclusion Elevated sCEACAM1 blood serum levels in women with PE suggest that there is immune dysregulation in early pregnancy, which may be helpful in PE prediction and therapy.