Tumor necrosis factor alpha expression is increased in maternal microvascular endothelial cells in preeclampsia

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the expression and effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in maternal endothelial cells in preeclampsia (PE).

Methods: Expression levels in primary microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) isolated from patients with severe preeclampsia (PE) and normal pregnancies were determined by RT-qPCR with or without treatment of TNFα and inhibitors for downstream signaling.

Results: PE MVEC exhibited increased basal TNFα expression. TNFα treatment increased TNFα, VCAM, and endocan expression in MVEC.

Conclusion: TNFα expression is increased in PE MVEC and the treatment of these cells with exogenous TNFα modifies their gene expression.

KEYWORDS:

• Tumor necrosis factor alpha
• endothelin
• apelin
• hypertension

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.