Antiphospholipid antibodies prolong the activation of endothelial cells induced by necrotic trophoblastic debris: Implications for the pathogenesis of preeclampsia

The symptoms of preeclampsia are preceded by endothelial cell activation/dysfunction which is induced by a placental trigger(s) but maternal risk factor(s) also contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. In this work we have investigated the interactions of a maternal risk factor, antiphospholipid antibodies, and a placental trigger, necrotic trophoblastic debris, on the activation of endothelial cells. Trophoblastic debris, from placental explants, was induced to become necrotic by freeze-thawing then exposed to endothelial cells for 24 h. After washing away residual trophoblastic debris antiphospholipid antibodies or a control antibody were added to the cultures then replaced with fresh medium in the presence or absence of antibodies. Endothelial cell activation was quantified by examining cell-surface ICAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion. Endothelial cells exposed to necrotic trophoblastic debris for 24 h became activated but the activation was lost 24 h after removal of the debris. Antiphospholipid antibodies alone did not active untreated endothelial cells, but did prolong the activation of endothelial cells which had been activated by pre-treatment with necrotic trophoblastic debris. When exposed to antiphospholipid antibodies the endothelial cells remained activated despite removal of the trophoblastic debris. In contrast, a control antibody did not prolong endothelial cell activation. Our data suggest that in women with antiphospholipid antibodies, activation of endothelial cells induced by necrotic trophoblastic debris could be maintained even if the endothelial cells were only intermittently exposed to necrotic debris. This might in part explain why antiphospholipid antibodies are such a strong maternal risk factor for preeclampsia.