Upregulation of the CD40–CD40 ligand system in pre-eclampsia

ObjectiveTo investigate the CD40–CD40 ligand (CD40L) system in women with pre-eclampsia.MethodsExpression of CD40 on monocytes and expression of CD40 and CD40L on platelets were determined by whole blood flow cytometry in 23 women with pre-eclampsia and in 23 normotensive pregnant women. Serum levels of soluble CD40L in both groups of women were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThere was a significantly higher expression of CD40 and CD40L on platelets and CD40 on monocytes in the women with pre-eclampsia compared with normotensive pregnant women (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). The serum concentration of soluble CD40L was significantly higher in women with pre-eclampsia compared with normotensive pregnant women (P = 0.012).ConclusionPre-eclampsia is associated with activation of the CD40–CD40L system. The activation of this system may contribute to the development or maintenance of the proinflammatory and prothrombotic responses, increased cytokine production, and endothelial cell dysfunction found in pre-eclampsia.