Increased maternal plasma levels of soluble adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin) in preeclampsia

The physiological significance of soluble adhesion molecules has not been elucidated but it has been reported that a number of cytokines may increase the cleavage of soluble adhesion molecules. The fact that preeclampsia is associated with both increased cytokine concentrations and endothelial cell damage led us to analyse levels of soluble adhesion molecules in preeclamptic women and to compare these levels to the disease state. Since the cytokine network is altered by reproduction, the present study also raised the question as to whether levels of soluble adhesion molecules differ between pregnant and non-pregnant women, and whether variations occur with relation to gestational age or delivery. Levels of soluble adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin) in 25 preeclamptic women were compared to those in healthy pregnant women matched for age, parity and gestation, and the levels of soluble adhesion molecules of 40 healthy pregnant women at different gestational ages were determined and compared to those of 15 non-pregnant women. Concentrations were measured by ELISAs. Levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin concentrations were elevated in preeclamptic pregnancies, whereas serum levels in normal pregnancy did not differ from those of non-pregnant women. No changes were observed in relation to gestational age or delivery.