Immune checkpoint molecules B7-1 and B7-H1 as predictive markers of pre-eclampsia: A case-control study in a Ghana.
Immun Inflamm Dis
; 12(1): e1142, 2024 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38270323
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIM:
Immune tolerance in the fetal-maternal junction is maintained by a balance in the Th1/Th2 system. Th1-type immunity is associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs) such as B7-H1, while Th2-type immunity is characterized by anti-inflammatory cytokines and ICMs such as B7-1. Any imbalance in the Th1/Th2 immune system may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-eclampsia (PE). Hitherto, the potential of serum B7-1 and B7-H1 proteins as early markers of PE has not been explored in the Ghanaian population. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
This was a case-control study from May 2020 to April 2022 at the War Memorial and the Upper East Regional Hospitals. The study involved 291 women, including 180 (61.9%) with normotensive pregnancy and 111 (38.1%) with PE. Venous blood samples were collected and assayed for blood cell count, serum interleukins (ILs)-4, -6, -12, -18, and TNF-α as well as serum B7-1 and B7-H1 proteins.RESULTS:
The monocyte count (p = .007), the serum levels of IL-18 (p = .035), TNF-α (p = .001), and B7-H1 (p = .006) were significantly higher in PE than in normotensive pregnancy. In addition, the monocyte count (p = .002), the serum levels of IL-12 (p = .029), TNF-α (p = .016), and B7-1 (p = .009) levels were significantly higher in the third trimester than the second trimester PE. In predicting PE, the area under the curve of cytokines and ICMs ranged from 0.51 for IL-6 to 0.62 for TNF-α.CONCLUSION:
PE may be characterized by a dominant Th1-type immunity with higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and B7-H1 proteins, but these variables may not be suitable for predicting PE.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Health context:
1_ASSA2030
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pre-Eclampsia
/
Immune Checkpoint Proteins
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Immun Inflamm Dis
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article