Differential Expression of TcR-CD3 Zeta as Evidence for Altered Immunoregulation in Preeclamptic vs. Normotensive Women

Differential Expression of TcR-CD3 Zeta as Evidence for Altered Immunoregulation in Preeclamptic vs. Normotensive Women Garrett K. Lam, MD, Paul W. Whitecar, MD, Susan Orton, PhD, Kim A. Boggess, MD, Douglas D. Taylor, PhD Objective: To exhibit and quantify the difference in modulation of CD3-zeta protein (an integral component of the T-cell receptor) in preeclamptic and normotensive women. Study Design: Serum was collected from 10 preeclamptic and 10 normotensive women >37 weeks gestation upon admission. Jurkat E-61 cells were incubated with the sera (20% volume to volume) and analyzed via western immunoblot using mouse monoclonal CD3-zeta antibody. Enhanced chemiluminescence and densitometry were used to qualitatively measure zeta expression of the cells. A de novo flow cytometry assay was developed to quantify the difference in CD3 zeta expression of these cells. Comparsions were done by t-test (p <0.05 was significant). Results: Preeclamptic patient sera produced a 2.4-fold increase in CD3-zeta expression than normotensive patients on Western blot (p<0.01). Flow cytometry showed that preeclamptic sera had a 1.4 fold higher expression of CD3-zeta compared to normotensive patients (p<.0003). Conclusion: TcR/CD3-zeta expression is normally suppressed in pregnancy. Loss of this suppression occurs in preeclamptics, implying increased T cell function.