Pre-eclampsia is associated with complement pathway activation in the maternal and fetal circulation, and placental tissue.

OBJECTIVES: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of obstetric morbidity, with no definitive therapy other than delivery. We aimed to compare complement markers in maternal and fetal circulation, and placental tissue, between women with PE and healthy pregnant controls. STUDY DESIGN: Maternal and umbilical cord blood was tested for iC3b, C3, C4, properdin, Ba and C5b-9, and placental tissue for C3d, C4d, C9 and C1q, from women with PE (n = 34) and healthy pregnant controls (n = 33). Maternal properdin and Ba tests were repeated in a separate validation cohort (PE n = 35; healthy pregnant controls n = 35). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complement concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood, and placental immunohistochemical complement deposition. RESULTS: Women with PE had significantly lower concentrations of properdin (mean: 4828 vs 6877 ng/ml, p < 0.001) and C4 (mean: 0.20 vs 0.31 g/l, p < 0.001), and higher Ba (median: 150 vs 113 ng/ml, p = 0.012), compared to controls. After controlling for gestational age at blood draw, average properdin concentration was 1945 ng/ml lower in PE vs controls (95 % CI: 1487-2402, p < 0.001). Of the cord blood markers assessed, only Ba differed significantly between PE and controls (median: 337 vs 233 ng/ml, p = 0.004). C4d staining of the syncytiotrophoblast membrane was increased in PE vs controls (median immunoreactivity score 3 vs 0, p < 0.001). Maternal properdin and C4 were significantly negatively correlated with placental C4d staining. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm excessive placental complement deposition associated with significant concurrent changes in maternal and fetal circulating complement biomarkers in PE. Inhibition of complement activation is a potential therapeutic target.

Systematic Review of Cardiovascular Outcome Trials Using New Antidiabetic Agents in CKD Stratified by Estimated GFR.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular benefits observed with new antidiabetic agents may not extend to chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) using new antidiabetic agents stratified by kidney function. METHODS: MEDLINE (via PubMed) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for eligible studies up to November 16, 2020. Data were stratified by the trial entry estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria. Primary major cardiovascular event (MACE) outcomes were extracted, and a meta-analysis with a random effects model was performed to estimate overall risk ratios (RRs). RESULTS: Our search identified 16 studies for inclusion (glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1] analogues, n = 6; dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 [DPP-4] inhibitors, n = 4; and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 [SGLT-2] inhibitors, n = 6) with a combined total of 150,816 participants (28.2% with eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, n = 42,534). The RR for MACE with GLP-1 analogues with an eGFR ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 was 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-0.98; P = 0.02) and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.78-1.04; P = 0.14) with an eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. The RR for MACE with DPP-4 inhibitors with eGFR ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 was 0.99 (95% CI, 0.92-1.07; P = 0.86) and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.91-1.08; P = 0.86) with an eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. The RR for MACE with SGLT-2 inhibitors with an eGFR ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 was 1.01 (95% CI, 0.92-1.10; P = 0.87) and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.75-0.95; P = 0.005) with an eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Most analyses had significant heterogeneity. Sufficient albuminuria data were unavailable to analyze empirically. CONCLUSION: Clear evidence for MACE prevention in diabetes patients with an eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 currently exists for SGLT-2 inhibitors only. However, similar GLP-1 analogue effect sizes suggest a lack of sufficient power rather than a lack of effect.

Risk factors and short-term outcomes for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus colonization among hemodialysis patients.

Patients with end-stage renal disease are susceptible to infection, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although MRSA-related mortality and morbidity have been studied, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) has not been investigated to the same degree. Five hundred and seventy-eight chronic hemodialysis patients were followed up retrospectively for 18 months. Routine screening for MRSA and MSSA was instigated. Two hundred and eighty-eight patients (49%) had at least one positive MSSA or MRSA swab. There was no statistical difference in age, Charlson index, diabetes, sex, ethnicity, deprivation index, or the duration of dialysis between the positive and negative groups. There were however, less fistulas and more lines in the positive patients (P = 0.025). Binary logistic regression revealed patients with a body mass index of greater than 30 had a significantly increased risk of Staphylococcus aureus colonization P = 0.044, odds ratio (OR) 1.856 (95% confidence interval 1.016-3.397). Those who entered the study using a temporary line for vascular access also conferred a greater risk of colonization P = 0.029, OR 2.174 (95% CI 1.084-4.359). Patients with positive swabs had significantly more admissions (P = 0.033) and in particular, more infection-related admissions (P = 0.001). They were less likely to survive the follow-up period (P = 0.012) and had substantially more bacteremia (P <0.001). Following multivariable analysis, swab positivity remained an independent risk factor for mortality. MRSA and MSSA colonization in patients is associated with significant mortality and morbidity in dialysis patients. Patients dialyzing with lines are also more likely to colonize compared to those with more permanent forms of vascular access.

Humoral immunity in late-onset Pre-eclampsia and linkage with angiogenic and inflammatory markers.

PROBLEM: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal and foetal morbidity worldwide. Given the implication of immune mechanisms, we compared markers of humoral immunity in PE and their relationship to circulating markers of inflammation, angiogenic factors, and renal function. METHOD OF STUDY: Serum samples from 88 previously healthy women admitted to hospital with PE and 107 healthy pregnant controls at term were analysed for serum immunoglobulins (Ig), including IgG subclasses and free light chain (sFLC) levels, beta-2 microglobulin (B2-M), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HS-CRP), albumin, complement proteins (C3 & C4), creatinine, cystatin-C and the ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF). RESULTS: Compared to the controls, women with PE had significantly reduced renal function, serum IgG (subclass 1 & 3), albumin, and C4 levels, whilst concentrations of total sFLC, HS-CRP, B2-M, and sFLT-1:PlGF were raised. On multivariable analysis, sFLT-1:PlGF ratio (P < 0.001), sFLC (P < 0.001) and IgG1 (P < 0.024) were found to be independently associated with PE, after accounting for renal function, patient age, BMI, ethnicity, and parity. B2-M and sFLT-1:PlGF had comparable diagnostic association with PE (P = 0.184), and correlated strongly with each other (ρ = 0.588, P < 0.001) as well as with renal function and adverse clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: We describe for the first time that PE is independently associated with activation of the humoral immune system independent of deranged kidney function and angiogenic markers. The role of B2-M as a potential predictive marker of PE remains to be determined.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in women of childbearing age: risks versus benefits.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are effective and widely used antihypertensive drugs. Exposure to these agents is known to be harmful to the fetus in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Concerns have also been raised about the risk of congenital malformations if ACEIs or ARBs are taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. The evidence to date, however, is conflicting and observed malformations may be due to confounders such as undiagnosed diabetes or maternal obesity, other antihypertensive medications or the hypertension itself. Nonetheless, in women who become pregnant while taking an ACEI or ARB, the drug should be stopped as soon as possible. In women with chronic kidney disease and proteinuria, it may be appropriate to continue taking an ACEI or ARB until the pregnancy is confirmed because of the significant benefit to their kidney function and the lower fertility rate in these patients.

CD4+CD25+ cells controlling a pathogenic CD4 response inhibit cytokine differentiation, CXCR-3 expression, and tissue invasion.

It is well established that CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit autoimmune pathology. However, precisely how the behavior of disease-inducing T cells is altered by Tregs remains unclear. In this study we use a TCR transgenic model of diabetes to pinpoint how pathogenic CD4 T cells are modified by Tregs in vivo. We show that although Tregs only modestly inhibit CD4 cell expansion, they potently suppress tissue infiltration. This is associated with a failure of CD4 cells to differentiate into effector cells and to up-regulate the IFN-gamma-dependent chemokine receptor CXCR-3, which confers the ability to respond to pancreatic islet-derived CXCL10. Our data support a model in which Tregs permit T cell activation, yet prohibit T cell differentiation and migration into Ag-bearing tissues.