HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Luppi, P. Articles by DeLoia, J. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Luppi, P. Articles by DeLoia, J. A. Related Collections Related Articles

(Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 2002;72:874-884.)
© 2002 by Society for Leukocyte Biology

Monocytes are progressively activated in the circulation of pregnant women

Patrizia Luppi^*, Catherine Haluszczak^*, Dawn Betters^*, Craig A. H. Richard, Massimo Trucco^* and Julie A. DeLoia

^* Division of Immunogenetics Department of Pediatrics, Rangos Research Center, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Magee Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pennsylvania

Pregnancy is characterized by the presence of generalized leukocyte activation. We used flow cytometry to investigate changes in phenotype and intracellular cytokines of circulating granulocytes, monocytes, and T lymphocytes of pregnant women during gestation. We report that peripheral circulation of pregnancy is characterized by an increased percentage of granulocytes and a decrease in lymphocytes. The proportion of monocytes remains stable throughout gestation; however, a progressive up-regulation of surface markers CD11a, CD54, and CD64 was detected. Monocytes also showed higher production of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-1ß compared with the nonpregnant state, and granulocytes had greater potential to synthesize IL-8. All these changes were particularly marked in late gestation. T lymphocytes did not have any characteristics of the activated state and showed a decreased IL-6 production. These findings demonstrate that activation of maternal monocytes and granulocytes increases during pregnancy and support the idea that pregnancy results in an elevation of the innate immune system and suppression of the adaptive immune system.

Key Words: leukocytes • intracellular cytokines • adhesion molecules • pregnancy

Related Articles

Monocyte cytokine production during pregnancy

Marijke M. Faas, Henk Moes, and Paul de Vos
J. Leukoc. Biol. 2004 75: 153-154. [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. E. Gandley, J. Rohland, Y. Zhou, E. Shibata, G. F. Harger, A. Rajakumar, V. E. Kagan, N. Markovic, and C. A. Hubel Increased Myeloperoxidase in the Placenta and Circulation of Women With Preeclampsia Hypertension, August 1, 2008; 52(2): 387 - 393. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Osorio, D. L. Bonilla, A. G. Peniche, P. C. Melby, and B. L. Travi Pregnancy enhances the innate immune response in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis through hormone-modulated nitric oxide production J. Leukoc. Biol., June 1, 2008; 83(6): 1413 - 1422. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Mouihate, S. Ellis, E.-M. Harre, and Q. J. Pittman Fever suppression in near-term pregnant rats is dissociated from LPS-activated signaling pathways Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, November 1, 2005; 289(5): R1265 - R1272. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. M. Faas, H. Moes, and P. de Vos Monocyte cytokine production during pregnancy J. Leukoc. Biol., February 1, 2004; 75(2): 153 - 154. [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Luppi In response to Faas et al. J. Leukoc. Biol., February 1, 2004; 75(2): 155 - 156. [Full Text] [PDF]