The comparative value of interleukin-4 in sera of women with preeclampsia and cord sera.

Cytokines are of central importance in the regulation of immunity, inflammation, tissue remodeling, and embryonic development. Uncontrolled or excessive cytokine production may contribute to the pathophysiology of acute and constant infections, autoimmune disease, and neoplasia. Interleukin-4 was first observed as a costimulator of B-cell DNA synthesis in response to antiimmunoglobulin M antibodies. Within hours of contact with interleukin-4, resting B cells and macrophages increase their expression of the class II histocompatibility antigen needed for immune cell interaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of interleukin-4 in the sera of preeclamptic women and the cord blood of their newborn infants. Five milliliters of blood were withdrawn from the cubital vein of 25 women with preeclampsia at 24 and 36 wk gestation, at term, and just before onset of labor or in early labor. At delivery, cord blood was withdrawn from each woman's corresponding newborn. The control group was 25 women without any obstetric complication. Interleukin-4 levels were significantly higher in the preeclamptic women than the control women (p < 0.05). Similarly, the interleukin-4 level was significantly higher in the maternal blood of the preeclamptic women than in the cord blood of their newborns (p < 0.01). Because interleukin-4 increases the expression of class II histocompatibility, it may be important in immunorecognition and immunosuppression. However, excessive interleukin-4 production may contribute to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.