Fetal endothelial cells express vascular cell adhesion molecule in the setting of chorioamnionitis.

Full Abstract

PROBLEM: In intrauterine infection, inflammatory mediators may be released into the fetal circulation prior to fetal infection. We hypothesize that, in chorioamnionitis, inflammation alters fetal blood vessels. To test this, fetal endothelial cells were examined for vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM). METHOD OF STUDY: Umbilical cords (n = 9) from placentas with chorioamnionitis were immunostained for VCAM. Controls from preterm preeclamptic pregnancies (n = 7) without histologic inflammation were selected, and matched for gestational age and method of delivery. VCAM sections were reviewed by a pathologist blinded to clinical diagnoses. RESULTS: All endothelial cells from each of the nine cords from placentas with chorioamnionitis had strong VCAM staining. Two of nine samples also had acute cord vasculitis. No cord endothelial cells from preeclamptic placentas demonstrated similar VCAM staining (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Histologic chorioamnionitis was associated with VCAM expression of the umbilical cord vessels. In chorioamnionitis, inflammatory mediators may have entered the fetal circulation to activate endothelial cells. Intrauterine inflammation was not restricted to the chorioamnion, but also involved the fetal circulation.

Author information

Author/s: Craven, C M (CM); Ward, K (K);

Affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84108, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989) (Am J Reprod Immunol), published in DENMARK. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2000-May; vol 43 (issue 5) : pp 259-63

Dates: Created 2000/10/27; Completed 2000/10/27; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 10872604, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.