ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the changes of lymphocyte populations and subpopulations in peripheral blood of pregnant women suffering preeclampsia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: By means of flowcytometry the following lymphocyte populations and subpopulations were determined in peripheral blood of 37 pregnant women, of whom 12 had preeclampsia and 25 had normal pregnancy pespectively: Total lymphocyte count CD19+ (B-lymphocytes), CD2+ (Total T-lymphocytes), CD3+ (Immunocompetent T-lymphocytes) CD3+CD4+ (T-helpers), CD3+CD8+ (Suppressor-cytoxic T-lymphocytes), CD4+/CD8+ ratio, Lymphocyte subpopulations with predominant killer activity: CD8-CD56+, CD8+CD56+ and activated immunocompetent T-lymphocytes (CD3+HLADR+). RESULTS: In patients with preeclampsia a T-helper increase and relative T-suppressor cytotoxic decrease was found. A significant increase of activated immunocompetent T-lymphocyte was found, compared to the total increase of immunocompetent T cell. No significant difference between cytotoxic cell with MHC unrestrained function (CD8-CD56+) and cell with MHC restrained cytotoxic function (CD8+CD56+) was found. CONCLUSIONS: In pregnant women with preeclampsia the main lymphocyte populations and the immunocompetent T-lymphocytes are increased. The raised level of T-lymphocytes is found as a result of the substantial quantitative changes of T-helper cells an increase of CD4+/CD8+ ratio is prominent, which is a proof of the activated immune potential in pregnant women with preeclampsia with the dominant influence of T-helper subpopulations.