Role of Innate Immune Macrophages in Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

Abstract

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disease characterized by abnormal arterial remodeling that results in placental insufficiency and placental ischemia. Recent studies have shown a specific association with macrophages and the development of hypertension. Macrophages are large, phagocytic white blood cells that have the ability to attack foreign cells and unhealthy self-cells. The pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by macrophages have been shown to contribute to blood pressure elevation and subsequent tissue damage. Macrophages can further polarize into different subtypes, labelled as M1 and M2 macrophages. In preeclampsia, data suggests that M1 macrophages increase at the maternal-fetal interface. Normally numerous macrophages reside in the peritoneal cavity and can move to different sites throughout the body depending on the circumstances. We hypothesized that placental ischemia results in macrophage movement from the peritoneal cavity to the site of ischemia in the placenta.