Effects of NK cells on the etiology of severe pre-eclampsia

AIM: To detect the effects of NK cells on the etiology of severe pre-eclampsia. METHODS: The peripheral blood and umbilical blood from severe pre-eclamptic patients and normal late pregnant women were collected. NK cells were seperated in percoll and counted by SAP. The proliferating ability of NK cells was measured by MTT and killing power of NK cells was determined by ［51Cr］ releasing test. The immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the quantity of NK cells and the expression of HLA-G in placenta of them. RESULTS: (1) Compared with that in normal late pregnant women, the counts of the NK cells in peripheral blood, umbilical blood and decidua of severe pre-eclamptic patients were significantly higher (all P<0.05). (2) Compared with that in normal late pregnant women, proliferating and killing ability of NK cells in peripheral blood and umbilical blood of severe pre-eclamptic patients were significantly higher. (3) The expression of HLA-G protein in placenta of severe pre-eclampsia group was lower than that in normal group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The quantity of NK cells in severe pre-eclamptic patients is increased with stronger biologic function. They may be related with the pathogenesis of severe pre-eclampsia.