Pathogenetic implication of interleukin-2 expressed in preeclamptic decidual tissues: a possible mechanism of deranged vasculature of the placenta associated with preeclampsia.

PROBLEM: The purpose of this study is to clarify whether IL-2 expressed in the decidua in preeclampsia affects the angiogenesis of the placenta.

METHOD OF STUDY: We investigated the angiogenic substances released from human trophoblasts obtained from early pregnancy that had been pretreated with either IL-2, non-activated lymphocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), decidual lymphocytes, or these lymphocytes activated by lymphokine (LAK cells). Angiogenic activity was determined by evaluating the ability of growth-promotion of cultured human microvascular endothelial cells (HMvECs) using MTT assay.

RESULTS: Trophoblasts pretreated with IL-2 or non-activated lymphocytes, irrespective of their origin, released angiogenic factor similar to those without pretreatment. However, trophoblasts pretreated with LAK cells released less angiogenic factor compared with those without pretreatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Interleukin-2 (IL-2) expressed in preeclamptic decidua might reduce the angiogenic substances arising from trophoblasts by inducing LAK-cells from decidual lymphocytes, which might be relevant to deranged vasculature of the placenta, a characteristic histology in preeclampsia.