American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 198, Issue 4 , Pages 414.e1-414.e5, April 2008

Maternal circulating endothelial progenitor cells in normal singleton and twin pregnancy

  • Makrina D. Savvidou, MD

      Affiliations

    • Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King’s College London, London, UK
    • ,
  • Qingzhong Xiao, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, King’s College London, London, UK
    • ,
  • Christine Kaihura, MD

      Affiliations

    • Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King’s College London, London, UK
    • ,
  • James M. Anderson, MD

      Affiliations

    • Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King’s College London, London, UK
    • ,
  • Kypros H. Nicolaides, MD

      Affiliations

    • Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King’s College London, London, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprints: Kypros H. Nicolaides, MD, Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8RS, UK

Received 24 April 2007; received in revised form 25 June 2007; accepted 12 October 2007. published online 18 February 2008.

Objective

The objective of the study was to determine the levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which are peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) that contribute to vascular repair in normal pregnancy.

Study Design

The concentration of EPCs in maternal blood was measured in healthy nonpregnant women (group A, n = 8), normal singleton pregnancies (group B, n = 24), and normal twin pregnancies (group C, n = 21).

Results

In group A, the mean (SD) level of EPCs was 77.0% (8.6%) adherent PBMNCs. In group B, the mean level was lower than in group A and decreased with gestation from 61.3% (14.9%) in the first trimester to 56.0% (16.2%) in the second trimester and 52.0% (8.7%) in the third trimester (P = .001). Similarly, the level of EPCs in group C was lower than in group A and decreased with gestation from 64.6% (9.6%) in the first trimester to 65.2% (12.7%) in the second trimester and 56.4% (12.6%) in the third trimester (P = .002).

Conclusion

Normal pregnancy is associated with a decrease in maternal circulating levels of EPCs.

Key words: endothelial progenitor cells, pregnancy, singleton, twin

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 This study was supported by the Fetal Medicine Foundation (UK Registered Charity no. 1037116).

 Cite this article as: Savvidou MD, Xiao Q, Kaihura C, et al. Maternal circulating endothelial progenitor cells in normal singleton and twin pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008;198:414.e1-414.e5.

PII: S0002-9378(07)02022-4

doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2007.10.800

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 198, Issue 4 , Pages 414.e1-414.e5, April 2008

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