Serum Levels of B Lymphocyte Activating Factor (BAFF) and a Proliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL) in Patients with Preeclampsia

Objectives: To elucidate the role of BAFF and APRIL in pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: This was a case-controlled study being performed at Zeinabie and Hafez Hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. We included 135 subjects in 3 study groups including 45 patients with preeclampsia (group 1), 45 healthy pregnant individuals (group 2) and 45 healthy non-pregnant individuals (group 3). Serum levels of BAFF and APRIL were measured and compared between groups. Result: The mean age of the participants was 27.8 ± 6.4 years. There was not any significant difference between three study groups regarding the baseline characteristics. Serum levels of APRIL were significantly higher in those patients with preeclampsia compared to healthy pregnant women (7.46 ± 5.41 vs. 3.59 ± 2.61 pg/dL; p=0.009). In the same way, serum levels of APRIL was significantly higher in those with preeclampsia compared to healthy non-pregnant individuals (7.46 ± 5.41 vs. 4.16 ± 3.15 pg/dL; p=0.034). There was not any significant difference between three study groups regarding the serum levels of BAFF. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that serum levels of APRIL are higher in those with preeclampsia compared to both normal pregnant and non-pregnant individuals. However serum levels of BAFF are not different between preeclamptic patients and normal individuals. Thus it can be concluded that APRIL is likely one of the factors responsible for immunological disturbances leading to development of preeclampsia.