Flow Cytometric Investigation of CD40-CD40 Ligand System in Preeclampsia and Normal Pregnancy

Abstract

Our aim was to investigate the CD40-CD40 ligand system in preeclamptic women. We also studied CD62P and platelet-monocyte aggregates, which have been closely linked to the CD40-CD40L system. Platelet expression of CD40L and CD62P and expression of CD40 on monocytes and platelet-monocyte aggregates were determined by flow cytometry in whole blood from 23 preeclamptic women, 23 normotensive pregnant women, and 23 nonpregnant women. The preeclamptic women showed a significant increase in CD40L and CD62P on platelets and in CD40 on monocytes when compared with normotensive pregnant women and nonpregnant women (all P < .001). There was a significant increase in platelet-monocyte aggregates in preeclamptic women (P < .001) and normotensive pregnant women (P = .003) compared with nonpregnant women. Preeclampsia is associated with activation of the CD40-CD40L system. The activation of this system may contribute to the development or maintenance of the proinflammatory and prothrombotic milieu found in preeclampsia.