Abstract:

Objective      To investigate expressions of Th17, regulatory T-lymphocytes (Tregs) and their related cytokines in pre-eclampsia and the role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Methods    30 placental tissues of patients with pre-eclampsia and 25 placental tissues of women with normal pregnancy (the control group) were selected. Using realtime fluorescent quantitative PCR, mRNA expressions of the special transcription factor of Tregs Foxp3, Th17-related cytokines IL-17 and retinoic acid receptorrelated orphan receptor C(RORc), regulators for the development and function of Th17 and Tregs IL-23 and IL-27, and IL-27R were quantified, in placental tissues of the pre-eclampsia group and the control group. Results     Placenta Foxp3 expression in the pre-eclampsia group was significantly lower than that in the control group（P<0.05）; expressions of Th17-related cytokines RORc and IL-17 in the pre-eclampsia group was significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05);  also, expressions of IL-23, IL-27 and IL27R in the pre-eclampsia group were obviously increased (P<0.05). Conclusion     Th17, Treg cells and their related cytokines are significantly changed in pre-eclampsia, and may involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

Key words: T-lymphocytes, helper-inducer； T-lymphocytes, regulatory； Cytokines； Pre-eclampsia