Macrophage M1/M2 polarization in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension

This study aimed to validate whether macrophage polarization imbalance and abnormal cytokines production occurred in pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) patients. PIH women (n = 26) were enrolled and the level of biochemical parameters were determined. The percentage of CD86- and CD163-positive cells, representing M1 and M2 macrophages, were determined by flow cytometry. The concentrations of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-10) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. THP-1 cells were incubated with 10% serum from PIH and control groups, and then macrophage polarization and cytokines production were analyzed. The levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 were significantly lower, and the levels of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein a were significantly higher in the PIH group than that in the control group. The PIH group contained a significant higher percentage of CD86-positive cells (M1) and a significant lower percentage of CD163-positive cells (M2), representing higher M1/M2 ratio, than the control group. The PIH group expressed higher concentrations of TNF-α and IL-1β, and expressed lower concentrations of IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 than the control group. The in vitro experiment also showed macrophage polarization imbalance and abnormal cytokines production in THP-1 cells treated with PIH serum as compared with that treated with control serum. Macrophage polarization imbalance and abnormal cytokines production occurred in PIH patients and in THP-1 cells treated with PIH serum.