The aim of this study was to examine the interaction of Notch/Notch ligand with Th17/Treg, cytokines IL-35 and IL-17 in cases of preeclampsia (PE).
Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from 42 PE patients and 22 health pregnant women. The mRNA expressions of Notch/Notch ligand, Treg transcription factor FoxP3 and Th17 transcription factor RORγt, EBI3 and P35 (IL-35 two subunits), and IL-17 were determined by qPCR. The serum levels of IL-17 and IL-35 were measured by ELISA.
Results: It was observed that the expressions of Foxp3, EBI3, and P35 in PE patients were lower compared with normal pregnancy, whereas the RORγt expression was significantly increased. The results also demonstrated that PE patients exhibited decreased levels of Treg-related cytokine IL-35, whereas IL-17 was significantly increased. PE patients expressed higher levels of Notch receptor (1-4) and Notch ligand of DLL4, whereas Notch ligand of Jagged-1, -2 was much lower. Furthermore, the levels of FoxP3 T cells correlated positively with Jagged-2. In addition, there were positive correlations between the mRNA level of IL-17 and DLL4.
Conclusion: Our results indicated that maternal immunological changes may reverse maternal tolerance in PE, and this phenomenon may due to the Th17/Treg imbalance affected by Notch/Notch ligand.