Expression of inflammatory cytokines in placentas from pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome

Objective: To investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in villous trophoblast, syncytial knots and decidua placentas from pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia (PE), Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelet count (HELLP) syndrome and gestational age-matched controls. Methods: Study group included 35 placentas from pregnancies complicated with PE and 35 placentas from pregnancies with HELLP syndrome. Control group included 35 placentas from idiopathic preterm labor. Placentas were matched according to the gestational age. Expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 was determined by immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative HSCORE method in villous trophoblast, syncytial knots and decidua. Non-parametric statistics were used for analyses. Results: There was no difference in the expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 in all the studied placental segments between PE, HELLP and gestational age-matched control group. TNF-alpha (F = 32, 41, p<0.001), IL-6 (F = 58, 53, p<0.001) and IL-10 (F = 17, 62, p<0.001) expression was significantly different in different placental cell types, the highest expression of cytokines was in decidua. Conclusion: There was no difference in cytokine expression in villous trophoblast, syncytial knots and decidua among the studied placental groups. The expression of cytokines was highest in decidua in all the studied placental groups.