The role of cytokines in early detection of preeclampsia

Abstract

The signs and symptoms of preeclampsia become apparent at a relatively late stage in pregnancy (third trimester). However, the disorder results from abnormal interaction between fetal and maternal tissue much earlier in pregnancy (first trimester). For this reason, numerous methods have been proposed for the early detection of preeclampsia with considerable disagreement regarding their sensitivity and predictive values. Various reports suggest that preeclampsia is caused by an abnormal maternal immune response to antigenic challenge by the fetoplacental allograft. Moreover, since cytokines are involved in the control of immune response and also have a role in fetal development, their release from the placenta as a consequence of the abnormal maternal immune response, may precede the consequential cascade of pathophysiological reactions shown in preeclampsia. These assumptions may suggest that plasma cytokines' measurements may be used for the early detection of preeclampsia.