Pre-eclampsia affects procalcitonin production in placental tissue
Corresponding Author
Chiara Agostinis
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Correspondence
Chiara Agostinis, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorDamiano Rami
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorPaola Zacchi
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorFleur Bossi
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorTamara Stampalija
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorAlessandro Mangogna
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorLeonardo Amadio
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorRomana Vidergar
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorLiza Vecchi Brumatti
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorGiuseppe Ricci
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorClaudio Celeghini
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorOriano Radillo
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorIan Sargent
Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Search for more papers by this authorRoberta Bulla
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Chiara Agostinis
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Correspondence
Chiara Agostinis, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorDamiano Rami
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorPaola Zacchi
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorFleur Bossi
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorTamara Stampalija
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorAlessandro Mangogna
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorLeonardo Amadio
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorRomana Vidergar
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorLiza Vecchi Brumatti
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorGiuseppe Ricci
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorClaudio Celeghini
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorOriano Radillo
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorIan Sargent
Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Search for more papers by this authorRoberta Bulla
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Problem
Procalcitonin (PCT) is the prohormone of calcitonin which is usually released from neuroendocrine cells of the thyroid gland (parafollicular) and the lungs (K cells). PCT is synthesized by almost all cell types and tissues, including monocytes and parenchymal tissue, upon LPS stimulation. To date, there is no evidence for PCT expression in the placenta both in physiological and pathological conditions.
Method
Circulating and placental PCT levels were analysed in pre-eclamptic (PE) and control patients. Placental cells and macrophages (PBDM), stimulated with PE sera, were analysed for PCT expression. The effect of anti-TNF-α antibody was analysed.
Results
Higher PCT levels were detected in PE sera and in PE placentae compared to healthy women. PE trophoblasts showed increased PCT expression compared to those isolated from healthy placentae. PE sera induced an upregulation of PCT production in macrophages and placental cells. The treatment of PBDM with PE sera in the presence of anti-TNF-α completely abrogated the effect induced by pathologic sera.
Conclusion
Trophoblast cells are the main producer of PCT in PE placentae. TNF-α, in association with other circulating factors present in PE sera, upregulates PCT production in macrophages and normal placental cells, thus contributing to the observed increased in circulating PCT in PE sera.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
All authors state explicitly that potential conflict of interests does not exist. All authors deny any financial relationship with biotechnology manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and other commercial entities in relation to this original research.
Supporting Information
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