Abstract

ESTRADA-ARCILA, Lina et al. Expression of the Duffy negative phenotype in women of African descent and their relation to pre-eclampsia. Rev Cubana Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2013, vol.39, n.4, pp. 242-250. ISSN 0138-600X.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a complication of pregnancy that brings some negative consequences for both mother and fetus. It specially causes hypertension and proteinuria in mothers; while in fetuses it causes thrombocytopenia, development alterations of the central nervous and circulatory system; also intrauterine growth restriction may occur. This last factor is regarded as the main risk factor for fetal death in births as a result of severe PE. There is endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia related to abnormal placentation, state of oxidative stress and systemic inflammatory process that leads to the activation of neutrophils and monocytes. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is considered as a possible trigger candidate, since this chemokine is a chemoattractant and leukocyte activator. In the bloodstream, interleukin-8 binds to a high affinity multispecific-chemokine receptor called DARC, which is identical to the Duffy blood group antigen. This receptor regulates plasma levels of IL-8 by binding to chemokine. But, when there is a mutation in the gene promoter region, DARC expression is altered, and IL-8 inefficiently binds to receptor. This mutation results in Duffy negative phenotype, which is present in most of African descendants. This literature review is intended to address the role of IL-8 as neutrophil chemo-attractant, the importance of Duffy blood system and the possible association between ethnicity and preeclampsia.

Keywords : Preeclampsia; African descent; Duffy blood-group system; interleukin-8; neutrophils; monocytes.

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