Comparison of TGF-β and Nitric Oxide Production by Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Between Healthy Pregnant and Preeclamptic Women

Preeclampsia is one of the most common complications of pregnancy that occurs after the 20th weeks of pregnancy. The pathophysiology of this disease is not exactly known. Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β) and Nitric Oxide (NO) are the key regulatory factors secreted by Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the TGF-β and NO secretion by adipose-derived MSCs in normal and preeclamptic pregnant women.

The adipose tissues were collected from 10 preeclamptic patients and 10 age-matched normotensive controls at the time of cesarean section delivery. After isolation and expansion of MSCs, their capability of differentiation and immunophenotyping characteristics were assessed. Next, the release of TGF-ß was evaluated making use of ELISA sandwich method and Griess method was used to measure the level of NO.

Adipose derived MSCs in both groups were differentiated into osteocytes and adipocytes. The expression of CD90, CD73, CD44, and CD105 markers and lack of expression of CD-14, CD34, CD45, and HLA-DR markers in cells isolated from adipose in both groups was observed using flow cytometric analysis. The levels of TGF-ß secretion in preeclamptic women were significantly higher than those in control group, but the mean level of NO secreted by adipose derived MSCs did not significantly change in the two groups.

It can be concluded that significant increase in the secretion of TGF-β owing to MSCs in preeclamptic participants shows the importance of these cells in controlling immunological balance in these patients. Therefore, MSCs-based therapy seems to regulate TH1/Th2 balance in preeclampsia.