The Expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 in the Materal Placenta of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension Syndrome

Objective To investigate the variation of cytokines interferon-γ(IFN-γ) and interleukin-4(IL-4 ) in maternal placenta in pregnancy induced hypertension syndrome(PIH).To discuss the role of cytokine and immunologic imbalance in the pathogenesis of PIH.Methods Forty patients with PIH who had cesarean section delivery (CS) during 2006 to 2007 in obstetrics department were choosen as study group and 20 normal pregnant women as control group.The study group was divided into three groups:mild PIH patiens(10 cases),moderate PIH patients(20 cases) and severe PIH patients(10 cases).RT-PCR was used to measure the level of IFN-γ and IL-4 in placenta of all.Results ①The levels of IFN-γ mRNA in placenta in PIH patients were significantly higher than those in normal pregnancy.In severe PIH,IFN-γ mRNA level was significantly higher(P0.01).②The levels of IL-4 mRNA in placenta in PIH patients was significantly lower than those of in normal pregnancy (P0.01).Conclusions In PIH patients,the level of Th1 type cytokine (IFN-γ) increased while Th2 type cytokine (IL-4) decreased,these variations were correlated with the development of PIH.These changes of the cytokine levels may be a kind of important mechanism in the pathogenesis of PIH.