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Urra M, Lyons S, Teodosiu CG, Burwick R, Java A. Thrombotic Microangiopathy in Pregnancy: Current Understanding and Management Strategies. Kidney Int Rep 2024; 9:2353-2371. [PMID: 39156177 PMCID: PMC11328568 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2024.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) represents a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by microvascular thrombosis and end-organ damage. Pregnancy-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (p-TMA) has emerged as a distinct clinical entity with unique diagnostic challenges. Identifying the specific form of p-TMA is critical for appropriate and timely management. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the various forms of thrombotic microangiopathies associated with pregnancy, highlighting our current understanding of their pathophysiology and the evolving landscape of diagnosis and treatment for each.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Urra
- Department of Renal Medicine and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Shannon Lyons
- Department of Renal Medicine and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Richard Burwick
- Maternal Fetal Medicine, San Gabriel Valley Perinatal Medical Group, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Anuja Java
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Govender S, David M, Naicker T. Is the Complement System Dysregulated in Preeclampsia Comorbid with HIV Infection? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6232. [PMID: 38892429 PMCID: PMC11172754 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
South Africa is the epicentre of the global HIV pandemic, with 13.9% of its population infected. Preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is often comorbid with HIV infection, leading to multi-organ dysfunction and convulsions. The exact pathophysiology of preeclampsia is triggered by an altered maternal immune response or defective development of maternal tolerance to the semi-allogenic foetus via the complement system. The complement system plays a vital role in the innate immune system, generating inflammation, mediating the clearance of microbes and injured tissue materials, and a mediator of adaptive immunity. Moreover, the complement system has a dual effect, of protecting the host against HIV infection and enhancing HIV infectivity. An upregulation of regulatory proteins has been implicated as an adaptive phenomenon in response to elevated complement-mediated cell lysis in HIV infection, further aggravated by preeclamptic complement activation. In light of the high prevalence of HIV infection and preeclampsia in South Africa, this review discusses the association of complement proteins and their role in the synergy of HIV infection and preeclampsia in South Africa. It aims to identify women at elevated risk, leading to early diagnosis and better management with targeted drug therapy, thereby improving the understanding of immunological dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thajasvarie Naicker
- Optics and Imaging Centre, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (S.G.); (M.D.)
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Kerboua KE, Saadia L. The evaluation of some serum immunochemical markers in early onset pre-eclamptic women from Algeria. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 88:e13587. [PMID: 35770379 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Progress in understanding the underlying mechanism responsible for the syndrome pre-eclampsia should reconfigure antenatal clinical care and minimize human and financial costs, yet at present there is no accurate theory that permits development of reliable predictive tests and prophylactic intervention to mitigate disease. To contribute to this ongoing effort, we aimed to assess various circulating markers pertaining to different theories. METHOD OF STUDY Serum samples from thirty-four women with established early onset preeclampsia (ePE) were assessed in terms of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde- MDA), angiogenic status (PlGF & sFLT-1), complement system (The alternative pathway -AP50 & complement factor H- CFH) and circulating inflammatory markers (Interleukin 6- IL-6 & Procalcitonin- PCT). Control groups of gestational age matched patients included 20 gestational hypertensive (GH) and 6 normotensive pregnant women (NPW). RESULTS Our work shows that PlGF is the only serum marker who does exhibit a continued decrease from NPW to GH to ePE (rpearson = -0.428, p = .002). The ePE group had a profound impairment in circulating PlGF (66.93 ± 20.62 pg/ml) compared to GH (142.67 ± 39.79 pg/ml; p = .069) and NPW (636.83 ± 392.66 pg/ml; p = .002). Then, PlGF >71.29 pg/ml pg/ml is the cut-off that has the highest negative predictive value enabling exclusion of ePE (Sp 78%, Se 70%, p = .000). No such interesting results could be obtained with the other markers. CONCLUSION Our data confirm that the angiogenic factor PlGF may be highly relevant in biological mechanisms underlying the development of ePE. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kheir Eddine Kerboua
- Laboratory of Desert Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kasdi Merbah, Ouargla, Algeria.,Laboratory of Immunology, Regional Military University Hospital of Oran, Oran, Algeria
| | - Lasla Saadia
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Regional Military University Hospital of Oran, Oran, Algeria
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Complement activation and regulation in preeclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 226:S1059-S1070. [PMID: 32986992 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The complement system is critical to human health owing to its central role in host defense and innate immunity. During pregnancy, the complement system must be appropriately regulated to allow for immunologic tolerance to the developing fetus and placenta. Although some degree of complement activation can be seen in normal pregnancy, the fetus seems to be protected in part through the placental expression of complement regulatory proteins, which inhibit complement activation at different steps along the complement activation cascade. In women who develop preeclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome, there is a shift toward increased complement activation and decreased complement regulation. There is an increase in placental deposition of C5b-9, which is the terminal effector of classical, lectin, and alternative complement pathways. C5b-9 deposition stimulates trophoblasts to secrete soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, which sequesters vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor. Pathogenic mutations or deletions in complement regulatory genes, which predispose to increased complement activation, have been detected in women with preeclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome. Before the disease, biomarkers of alternative complement pathway activation are increased; during active disease, biomarkers of terminal complement pathway activation are increased. Urinary excretion of C5b-9 is associated with preeclampsia with severe features and distinguishes it from other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Taken together, existing data link preeclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome with increased activation of the terminal complement pathway that, in some cases, may be influenced by genetic alterations in complement regulators. These findings suggest that the inhibition of the terminal complement pathway, possibly through C5 blockade, may be an effective strategy to treat preeclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome, but this strategy warrants further evaluation in clinical trials.
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Ancuța E, Zamfir R, Martinescu G, Crauciuc DV, Ancuța C. The Complement System, T Cell Response, and Cytokine Shift in Normotensive versus Pre-Eclamptic and Lupus Pregnancy. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10245722. [PMID: 34945017 PMCID: PMC8705505 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10245722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful pregnancy requires an immunological shift with T helper CD4+ bias based on disbalance Th1/Th17 versus Th2/T regulatory (Tregs) required to induce tolerance against the semi-allogeneic fetus and placenta and to support fetal growth. Considered a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder, pre-eclampsia is characterized by multifaceted organ involvement related to impaired maternal immune tolerance to paternal antigens triggered by hypoxic placental injury as well as excessive local and systemic anti-angiogenic and inflammatory factor synthesis. Both systemic and local Th1/Th2 shift further expands to Th17 cells and their cytokines (IL-17) complemented by suppressive Treg and Th2 cytokines (IL-10, IL-4); alterations in Th17 and Tregs cause hypertension during pregnancy throughout vasoactive factors and endothelial dysfunction, providing an explanatory link between immunological and vascular events in the pathobiology of pre-eclamptic pregnancy. Apart from immunological changes representative of normotensive pregnancy, lupus pregnancy is generally defined by higher serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, lower Th2 polarization, defective and lower number of Tregs, potential blockade of complement inhibitors by anti-phospholipid antibodies, and similar immune alterations to those seen in pre-eclampsia. The current review underpins the immune mechanisms of pre-eclampsia focusing on local (placental) and systemic (maternal) aberrant adaptive and innate immune response versus normotensive pregnancy and pregnancy in systemic autoimmune conditions, particularly lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugen Ancuța
- Research Department, “Elena Doamna” Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Hospital, 700398 Iași, Romania; (E.A.); (G.M.)
| | - Radu Zamfir
- Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 București, Romania;
| | - Gabriel Martinescu
- Research Department, “Elena Doamna” Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Hospital, 700398 Iași, Romania; (E.A.); (G.M.)
| | - Dragoș Valentin Crauciuc
- Department of Internal Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Correspondence: (D.V.C.); or (C.A.); Tel.: +40-740036387 (C.A.)
| | - Codrina Ancuța
- Department of Internal Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- 2nd Rheumatology Department, Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iași, Romania
- Correspondence: (D.V.C.); or (C.A.); Tel.: +40-740036387 (C.A.)
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Chen S, Li Z, He Y, Chen Q. Dysregulation of complement system in HELLP syndrome. Hypertens Pregnancy 2021; 40:303-311. [PMID: 34697959 DOI: 10.1080/10641955.2021.1983593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of complement system's activation factors in patients with HELLP syndrome. METHODS A case-control study was performed. Sixteen HELLP syndrome patients, 32 severe preeclampsia patients, and 48 normal pregnancy women were involved in this studyELISA was used to test C1q, C4d, MBL, Bb, C3a, C5a, sC5b-9, s-Endoglin, and sflt-1 in the plasma. RESULTS The levels of C5a (P < 0.01) and sC5b-9 (P = 0.014) in HELLP syndrome were higher than those in severe preeclampsia patients. CONCLUSIONS The abnormal activation of the complement system is more significant in the pathogenesis of HELLP syndrome than in severe preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yingdong He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China
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Ferrer-Oliveras R, Mendoza M, Capote S, Pratcorona L, Esteve-Valverde E, Cabero-Roura L, Alijotas-Reig J. Immunological and physiopathological approach of COVID-19 in pregnancy. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2021; 304:39-57. [PMID: 33945026 PMCID: PMC8093597 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-021-06061-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) related to Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a worldwide health concern. Despite the majority of patients will evolve asymptomatic or mild-moderate upper respiratory tract infections, 20% will develop severe disease. Based on current pathogenetic knowledge, a severe COVID-19 form is mainly a hyperinflammatory, immune-mediated disorder, triggered by a viral infection. Due to their particular immunological features, pregnant women are supposed to be particularly susceptible to complicate by intracellular infections as well as immunological disturbances. As an example, immune-thrombosis has been identified as a common immune-mediated and pathogenic phenomenon both in COVID-19, in obstetric diseases and in COVID-19 pregnant women. According to extensive published clinical data, is rationale to expect an interference with the normal development of pregnancy in selected SARS-CoV-2-infected cases, mainly during third trimester.This manuscript provides insights of research to elucidate the potential harmful responses to SARS-CoV-2 and /or other coronavirus infections, as well as bidirectional interactions between COVID-19 and pregnancy to improve their respective management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Ferrer-Oliveras
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Universitari Quironsalud Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Manel Mendoza
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sira Capote
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Universitari Quironsalud Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Laia Pratcorona
- Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Enrique Esteve-Valverde
- Department of Internal Medicine, Althaia Network Health. Manresa, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Central de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Lluis Cabero-Roura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Universitari Quironsalud Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Prof. Emeritus of Obsterics and Gynaecology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jaume Alijotas-Reig
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit. Department of Internal Medicine-1, Vall d' Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.
- Systemic Autoimmune Research Unit, Vall d'Hebron Reseacrh Institute, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Collier ARY, Smith LA, Karumanchi SA. Review of the immune mechanisms of preeclampsia and the potential of immune modulating therapy. Hum Immunol 2021; 82:362-370. [PMID: 33551128 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2021.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Successful pregnancy relies on maternal immunologic tolerance mechanisms limit maladaptive immune responses against the semi-allogeneic fetus and placenta and support fetal growth. Preeclampsia is a common disorder of pregnancy that affects 4-10% of pregnancies and is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia clinically manifests as maternal hypertension, proteinuria, and progressive multi-organ injury likely triggered by hypoxic injury to the placenta, resulting in local and systemic anti-angiogenic and inflammatory factor production. Despite the steady rising rates of preeclampsia in the United States, effective treatment options are limited to delivery, which improves maternal status often at the cost of prematurity in the newborn. Preeclampsia also increases the lifelong risk of cardiovascular disease for both mother and infant. Thus, identifying new therapeutic targets is a high priority area to improve maternal, fetal, and infant health outcomes. Immune abnormalities in the placenta and in the maternal circulation have been reported to precede the clinical onset of disease. In particular, excessive systemic and placental complement activation and impaired adaptive T cell tolerance with Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg imbalance has been reported in humans and in animal models of preeclampsia. In this review, we focus on the evidence for the immune origins of preeclampsia, discuss the promise of immune modulating therapy for prevention or treatment, and highlight key areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Ris Y Collier
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Laura A Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - S Ananth Karumanchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Vascular Biology Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Plasma CD59 concentrations are increased in preeclampsia with severe features and correlate with laboratory measures of end-organ injury. Pregnancy Hypertens 2020; 22:204-209. [PMID: 33091682 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Dysregulation of CD59 may lead to increased complement-mediated end-organ injury in preeclampsia. We sought to determine if soluble CD59 concentrations are altered in preeclampsia with severe features. STUDY DESIGN Observational case-control study, which enrolled subjects prospectively from six centers in Colombia from 2015 to 2016. Cases had preeclampsia with severe features and controls were either healthy or had chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, or preeclampsia without severe features. Trained coordinators collected clinical data, blood and urine. Analyses were by test of medians and Spearman's correlation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Soluble CD59 concentration in plasma and urine, using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS In total, 352 subjects were enrolled (104 cases; 248 controls). Compared to healthy women or those with other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, women with preeclampsia with severe features had increased concentration of CD59 in plasma (P < 0.001) and decreased CD59 in urine (P = 0.01). In sub-group analyses, plasma CD59 concentrations were increased in preeclampsia with severe features compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001) or controls with either chronic hypertension (P = 0.002) or gestational hypertension (P = 0.02). Increased plasma CD59 concentrations correlated with decreased platelet count and increased lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, aspartate transaminase, urine protein/creatinine ratio, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.01, all correlations). CONCLUSION In women with preeclampsia with severe features, soluble CD59 concentrations were increased in plasma and decreased in urine, and plasma levels correlated with increased blood pressure and end-organ injury. Soluble CD59 concentrations may help identify a subset of women with preeclampsia that have altered regulation of terminal complement proteins.
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Banadakoppa M, Pennington K, Balakrishnan M, Yallampalli C. Complement inhibitor Crry expression in mouse placenta is essential for maintaining normal blood pressure and fetal growth. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236968. [PMID: 32745140 PMCID: PMC7398533 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many circumstantial evidences from human and animal studies suggest that complement cascade dysregulation may play an important role in pregnancy associated complications including preeclampsia. Deletion of rodent specific complement inhibitor gene, Complement Receptor 1-related Gene/Protein y (Crry) produces embryonic lethal phenotype due to complement activation. It is not clear if decreased expression of Crry during pregnancy produces hypertensive phenotype. We downregulated Crry in placenta by injecting inducible lentivialshRNA vectors into uterine horn of pregnant C57BL/6 mice at the time of blastocyst hatching. Placenta specific downregulation of Crry without significant loss of embryos was achieved upon induction of shRNA using an optimal doxycycline dose at mid gestation. Crry downregulation resulted in placental complement deposition. Late-gestation measurements showed that fetal weights were reduced and blood pressure increased in pregnant mice upon downregulation of Crry suggesting a critical role for Crry in fetal growth and blood pressure regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu Banadakoppa
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MB); (CY)
| | - Kathleen Pennington
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Meena Balakrishnan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Chandra Yallampalli
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MB); (CY)
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Common variants of fetal and maternal complement genes in preeclampsia: pregnancy specific complotype. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4811. [PMID: 32179765 PMCID: PMC7076030 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60539-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy specific hypertensive disorder. If untreated PE leads to life threatening condition, eclampsia. Systemic complement activation levels are increased during pregnancy compared to non-pregnant women of childbearing age. In PE, systemic complement levels are further increased, and higher complement deposition has been observed on placentas. We hypothesize that combinations of common SNPs in maternal and fetal complement genes constitute pregnancy specific complotypes and predispose women to PE. In this study, we sequenced two maternal (factor H and C3) and one fetal (CD46) complement genes and identified a total of 9 common SNPs. Minor allele frequencies of two fetal CD46 SNPs were significantly higher in PE. Further, complotypes consisting of fetal CD46 variants and maternal CFH/C3 variants were highly prevalent in PE patients compared to normotensive pregnancies. Placental complement deposition and maternal alternative pathway 50 (AP50) values were higher in PE pregnancies. Irrespective of disease status, two CD46 variants were associated with reduced placental CD46 expression and one CFH variant was associated with increased maternal AP50 values.
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Pierik E, Prins JR, van Goor H, Dekker GA, Daha MR, Seelen MAJ, Scherjon SA. Dysregulation of Complement Activation and Placental Dysfunction: A Potential Target to Treat Preeclampsia? Front Immunol 2020; 10:3098. [PMID: 32010144 PMCID: PMC6974484 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide, affecting 2–8% of all pregnancies. Studies suggest a link between complement activation and preeclampsia. The complement system plays an essential role in the innate immunity, leading to opsonization, inflammation, and elimination of potential pathogens. The complement system also provides a link between innate and adaptive immunity and clearance of immune complexes and apoptotic cells. During pregnancy there is increased activity of the complement system systemically. However, locally at the placenta, complement inhibition is crucial for the maintenance of a normal pregnancy. Inappropriate or excessive activation of the complement system at the placenta is likely involved in placental dysfunction, and is in turn associated with pregnancy complications like preeclampsia. Therefore, modulation of the complement system could be a potential therapeutic target to prevent pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. This review, based on a systematic literature search, gives an overview of the complement system and its activation locally in the placenta and systemically during healthy pregnancies and during complicated pregnancies, with a focus on preeclampsia. Furthermore, this review describes results of animal and human studies with a focus on the complement system in pregnancy, and the role of the complement system in placental dysfunction. Various clinical and animal studies provide evidence that dysregulation of the complement system is associated with placental dysfunction and therefore with preeclampsia. Several drugs are used for prevention and treatment of preeclampsia in humans and animal models, and some of these drugs work through complement modulation. Therefore, this review further discusses these studies examining pharmaceutical interventions as treatment for preeclampsia. These observations will help direct research to generate new target options for prevention and treatment of preeclampsia, which include direct and indirect modulation of the complement system.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Pierik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Jelmer R Prins
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Harry van Goor
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Gustaaf A Dekker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lyell McEwin Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Mohamed R Daha
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Marc A J Seelen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Sicco A Scherjon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Regulation of the complement system and immunological tolerance in pregnancy. Semin Immunol 2019; 45:101337. [PMID: 31757607 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2019.101337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a serious vascular complication of the human pregnancy, whose etiology is still poorly understood. In preeclampsia, exacerbated apoptosis and fragmentation of the placental tissue occurs due to developmental qualities of the placental trophoblast cells and/or mechanical and oxidative distress to the syncytiotrophoblast, which lines the placental villi. Dysregulation of the complement system is recognized as one of the mechanisms of the disease pathology. Complement has the ability to promote inflammation and facilitate phagocytosis of placenta-derived particles and apoptotic cells by macrophages. In preeclampsia, an overload of placental cell damage or dysregulated complement system may lead to insufficient clearance of apoptotic particles and placenta-derived debris. Excess placental damage may lead to sequestration of microparticles, such as placental vesicles, to capillaries in the glomeruli of the kidney and other vulnerable tissues. This phenomenon could contribute to the manifestations of typical diagnostic symptoms of preeclampsia: proteinuria and new-onset hypertension. In this review we propose that the complement system may serve as a regulator of the complex tolerance and clearance processes that are fundamental in healthy pregnancy. It is therefore recommended that further research be conducted to elucidate the interactions between components of the complement system and immune responses in the context of complicated and healthy pregnancy.
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Yonekura Collier AR, Zsengeller Z, Pernicone E, Salahuddin S, Khankin EV, Karumanchi SA. Placental sFLT1 is associated with complement activation and syncytiotrophoblast damage in preeclampsia. Hypertens Pregnancy 2019; 38:193-199. [PMID: 31291799 DOI: 10.1080/10641955.2019.1640725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The immune complement system protects against pathogens; however, excess activation results in disease like hemolytic uremic syndrome, a clinical imitator of preeclampsia. Vascular endothelial factor (VEGF) protects against aberrant complement activation and is inhibited by soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT1) in other organs. We hypothesize that sFLT1 promotes complement-mediated placental damage through VEGF inhibition in preeclampsia. Objective: Quantify placental complement activity and sFLT1 expression in preeclampsia, and the subgroup of preeclampsia with hemolysis elevated liver enzymes low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. Methods: Placental complement activation marker C4d, membrane attack complex (MAC), and sFLT1 expression was quantified using immunofluores cence microscopy. Results: Placentas from 18 controls, 25 preeclampsia, including 6 cases of HELLP syndrome were identified. Placental C4d expression was greater in PE (median 6.4 [IQR: 5.1, 8.3]) compared to controls (4.4 [3.6, 5.5]; p = 0.003). MAC expression was also increased in preeclampsia compared to controls (6.5 [5.8, 8.7]; 5.4 [2.9, 5.9], p = 0.001). Placental sFLT1 expression was also higher in preeclampsia (p <0.0001). C4d and MAC were strongly correlated with sFLT1 levels in the placenta (R = 0.72; p < 0.0001 and R = 0.59; p = 0.01, respectively). Complement and sFLT1 expression was elevated in HELLP compared to preeclampsia without laboratory abnormalities, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Increased placental complement activation and damage was seen in preeclampsia and correlates with sFLT1 expression. Our findings support the importance of the complement pathway in preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Ris Yonekura Collier
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Boston , MA , USA.,b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology , Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Zsuzsanna Zsengeller
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology , Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA.,c Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Elizabeth Pernicone
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Saira Salahuddin
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Boston , MA , USA.,b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology , Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Eliyahu V Khankin
- c Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Boston , MA , USA
| | - S Ananth Karumanchi
- c Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , Boston , MA , USA.,d Department of Medicine , Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles , CA , USA
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15
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Pillay Y, Moodley J, Naicker T. The role of the complement system in HIV infection and preeclampsia. Inflamm Res 2019; 68:459-469. [PMID: 31028431 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-019-01240-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The complement system is a key component of the innate immune system that plays a vital role in host defense, maintains homeostasis and acts as a mediator of the adaptive immune response. The complement system could possibly play a role in the pathogenesis of HIV infection and preeclampsia (PE), both of which represent major causes of maternal death in South Africa. RECENT FINDINGS The relationship between PE and HIV infection is unclear as PE represents an exaggerated immune response, while HIV infection is associated with a decline in immune activity. Although the complement system works to clear and neutralize HIV, it could also enhance the infectivity of HIV by various other mechanisms. It has been suggested that the dysregulation of the complement system is associated with the development of PE. CONCLUSION There is currently a paucity of information on the combined effect of the complement system in HIV-associated PE. This review highlights the role of the complement system in the duality of HIV infection and PE and provides new insights into this relationship whilst also elucidating potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazira Pillay
- Optics and Imaging Centre, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
| | - Jagidesa Moodley
- Women's Health and HIV Research Group, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Thajasvarie Naicker
- Optics and Imaging Centre, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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