Chemokines Rantes and interleukin-8 in the perinatal period: changes in serum concentrations.

Chemokines, a superfamily of polypeptide mediators, are a key component of immune surveillance and are implicated in the initiation of the inflammatory cascade. This study investigated whether serum concentrations of the chemokines regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) change in the perinatal period because of the transition from intra- to extrauterine life, and compared determined values in mothers (MS) (n = 30) with those in their fetuses (UC), neonates (day of life 1 [N1] and 4 [N4]), and controls (CS) (n = 20). RANTES serum concentrations were higher in MS than in UC ( p < 0.

Circulating angiogenic factors during periovulation and the luteal phase of normal menstrual cycles.

Objective: To measure serial serum concentrations of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and angiogenin (ANG) in the periovulatory and secretory phase of normal menstrual cycles in healthy women and to determine their peaks, which might reflect the stage of their critical angiogenic action.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University departments of obstetrics and gynecology.

Concentrations of soluble Fas in maternal serum and amniotic fluid during uncomplicated pregnancies.

Objective: To determine, during normal pregnancy, maternal serum (MS) and amniotic fluid (AF) concentrations of soluble Fas (sFas), an apoptosis-suppressing molecule that might play a role in the apoptotic process. Soluble Fas levels might explain existing immunotolerance, fetal well being, and rupture of membranes at term.

Methods: Sixty-six healthy, nonsmoking, pregnant women (mean age 32.

Adhesion molecules expression in the placental bed of pregnancies with pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To compare the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) and E-selectin in placental bed biopsies (endothelium of spiral arteries as well as trophoblastic cells) from normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies.

Design: A prospective study.

Setting: 1.