The frequency of peripheral blood CD4+ CD25high FoxP3+ and CD4+ CD25- FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.

Problem: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in the development of pregnancy-specific immune tolerance. We aimed to determine the peripheral frequency of a recently described Treg subpopulation, the CD4+ CD25- FoxP3+ Treg subset, and its correlation with the conventional CD4+ CD25high FoxP3+ Tregs in normal pregnancy (NP) and pre-eclampsia (PE) compared to non-pregnant (non-P) women. We also examined the proportion of the activated CD4+ CD25high FoxP3high Treg subset within conventional Treg cells.

Preeclampsia is associated with decreased serum alpha(2)-HS glycoprotein (fetuin-A) concentration.

The purpose of this study was to determine serum alpha(2)-HS glycoprotein (AHSG) concentration and its diagnostic accuracy in preeclampsia. In this case-control study, the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and AHSG levels were measured in 93 preeclamptic patients and in 127 healthy pregnant women by immunoturbidimetry and radial immunodiffusion. The serum CRP levels were significantly higher, whereas the serum AHSG concentrations were significantly lower in the preeclamptic group than in the control group (median (25th to 75th percentile), CRP: 6.

Fas (TNFRSF6) gene polymorphism in pregnant women with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets and in their neonates.

Objective: To estimate whether an A>G polymorphism at position -670 in the gene coding for Fas (gene symbol TNFRSF6) is associated with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome.

Methods: In a retrospective study, buccal swabs from 81 women with the complete form of HELLP syndrome and 83 normotensive control women with uncomplicated full-term pregnancy, and 110 of their neonates, were analyzed for the presence of the TNFRSF6-670 polymorphism. Investigators were blinded to clinical outcomes.

An A > G polymorphism at position -670 in the Fas (TNFRSF6) gene in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.

Fas-mediated apoptosis of maternal lymphocytes during pregnancy has been postulated to prevent the development of pre-eclampsia. A single adenine (A) to guanine (G) polymorphism at position -670 in the Fas gene (TNFRSF6) results in decreased Fas synthesis. The association between this polymorphism and pre-eclampsia in Hungarian women was investigated.

Serum human chorionic gonadotropin measurements may predict pregnancy outcome and multiple gestation after in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To predict pregnancy outcome and multiple gestation using a common parameter by which hCG values are made comparable independently of the day of blood sampling.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: University-based IVF program.