Neutrophils from pregnant women produce thromboxane and tumor necrosis factor-α in response to linoleic acid and oxidative stress

These data demonstrate that exposure of neutrophils from normal pregnant women to conditions present in preeclamptic women results in neutrophil activation with release of thromboxane and tumor necrosis factor-α. Newly synthesized thromboxane is cyclooxygenase-2 dependent and plays a role in the tumor necrosis factor-α response. Our data suggest a mechanism for maternal vasoconstriction and vascular inflammation in preeclampsia because activated, thromboxane-secreting neutrophils migrate across endothelium into the microenvironment of the vasculature in which they could promote vasoconstriction, whereas release of tumor necrosis factor-α could cause vascular inflammation.