Immune Markers in Pregnancy A Study on Neopterin, β2-Microglobulin, Deoxythymidine Kinase and C-Reactive Protein

Abstract

Neopterin and β2-microglobulin but neither C-reactive protein nor deoxythymidine kinase increased in maternal serum from pregnancy week 20 to 40. Only maternal C-reactive protein concentrations changed during vaginal delivery and after 4 days post partum. Retroplacental plasma levels of neopterin, deoxythymidine kinase and β2-microglobulin were significantly higher than in maternal peripheral serum which was interpreted as an indication of increased activity of the immune system as influenced by the fetoplacental unit. The concentrations of neopterin, deoxythymidine kinase and β2-microglobulin were significantly higher in mixed artero-venous umbilical plasma than in the retroplacental plasma, possibly reflecting activation signals to immunocompetent cells in the neonates. The possibility of a transfer of these compounds from fetal to maternal circulation was also pointed out.