Endothelial precursor cells in the peripheral blood of pregnant women.

Objective: To determine whether primitive endothelial precursor cells are present in the peripheral blood of pregnant compared with nonpregnant subjects and whether these precursor cells are of fetal or maternal origin.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 13 pregnant women in the second trimester and from ten nonpregnant women and men were cultured for 8-10 weeks under conditions that promoted endothelial cell development. Early outgrowth (1 week culture) and late outgrowth (4-6 weeks) colonies were observed, their endothelial nature was investigated, and fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to determine the origin of the colonies from pregnant women's specimens.

Results: Peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from all pregnant women and all nonpregnant controls yielded early-outgrowth endothelial cells. Late-outgrowth endothelial cells were observed in 61.5% (eight of 13) of pregnant subjects, but in none of the ten nonpregnant controls (chi(2) test; P <.01). The adherent cells stained positively for von Willebrand factor and incorporated Dil-Ac-LDL, confirming their endothelial origin. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis showed only X chromosome-specific signals and no Y chromosome-specific signals in the cells from the late-outgrowth endothelial cells in all pregnant women carrying either a male (n = 5) or a female (n = 8) fetus.

Conclusion: Primitive endothelial precursor cells are present in most pregnant women during the second trimester. These cells appear to be of maternal origin.