Objective: To investigate the mechanisms of endothelial cell injury in women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).
Methods: Human umbilical endothelial cells were cultured in the serum from 10 women with severe PIH and 10 normal pregnant women, and co-cultured with neutrophils or not for 48 hrs. The morphology and cell cycles were studied.
Results: Without neutrophils, no apoptotic cells were observed, while neutrophils were added, apoptotic cells were obviously detected. The percentage of apoptotic cells in PIH was more than that in non-PIH. The percentage of cells in G2/M phase decreased in all the groups, but there were no significant differences among them.
Conclusions: Endothelial cells were injured indirectly in PIH patients. Activated neutrophils induced apoptosis might be one of the answers.