Maternal Serum Levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin in Preeclampsia

Abstract

Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a central pathogenic feature in preeclampsia on the basis of elevated adhesion molecules. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and E-selectin (sE-selectin) in sera of normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. We studied the serum levels of sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and sE-selectin in normal pregnant women (n=63), mild preeclampsia (n=33) and severe preeclampsia (n=82). Concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules were determined with enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Serum concentrations of sVCAM-1 were significantly higher in both mild (p=0.004) and severe preeclampsia (p=0.000) than normal pregnancy. There were also significant differences in sVCAM-1 levels between mild and severe preeclampsia (p=0.002). sICAM-1 levels of severe preeclampsia were statistically different from those of normal pregnancy (p=0.038). Levels of sE-selectin were elevated in both mild (p=0.011) and severe preeclampsia (p=0.000) compared to normal pregnancy, but no statistical difference between the mild and severe preeclampsia (p=0.345). These results suggest that all three soluble adhesion molecules are increased in severe preeclampsia, and sVCAM-1 among them may be useful in predicting the severity of preeclampsia.

Circulating endothelial cells in preeclampsia

“…Moreover, sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, E-selectin, von Willebrand factor (vWf), fibronectin, factor VII antigen and thrombomoduline were found to be significantly increased in severe preeclamptic patients when compared with normal pregnant subjects. 3 The results of these studies support the concept of generalized vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia. In this regard, we thus hypothesized that CECs, as a new marker for endothelial injury, can be increased in preeclampsia and that this new marker can be further used for determining the degree of the disease activity.…”

“…Levels of cellular fibronectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, intracellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, E-selectin, CD31 and von Willebrand factor have been documented to be elevated in preeclamptic patients even before its clinical manifestation. 3 Additionally, several studies have suggested that women who develop preeclampsia can be at increased risk of cardiovascular complications later in life. 4 An increased number of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) has previously been reported after the onset of various diseases that are associated with endothelial injury, including myocardial infarction, septic shock, sickle cell crisis, antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated small vessel vasculitis, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), systemic lupus erythematosus and Behçet's disease.…”

Serum E-selectin in Preeclampsia: A Case – Control Study

“…Kim et al, indicated that serum levels of E-selectin were significantly higher in both mild and severe PE than a normal pregnancy. However, there were no statistical differences in the levels of E-selectin between mild and severe PE (14). In France, Bretelle et al and Bersinger et al in Switzerland reported similar results in increasing Eselectin in PE (15,16).…”

Gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia: common antecedents?

“…Increased insulin resistance, a characteristic of gestational diabetes (27), has also been associated with the development of preeclampsia (28)(29)(30). Similarly, abnormal endothelial function with impaired flow mediated dilatation (31)(32)(33) and inflammatory cytokine release as C-reactive protein and E-selectin are reported in both conditions (34)(35)(36)(37)(38).…”