Trophoblast deportation and the maternal inflammatory response in pre-eclampsia.

We have proposed that the maternal syndrome of pre-eclampsia is caused by a systemic inflammatory response involving both leucocytes and endothelium. This inflammatory response is present also in normal pregnancy, but in a milder form. The inflammatory stimulus is most likely to come from the placenta. Syncytiotrophoblast apoptotic debris, which is shed into the maternal circulation in normal pregnancy and in increased amounts in pre-eclampsia, may be the stimulus for this response. It may also contribute to the suppression of Th1 responses seen in pregnancy.