Progesterone attenuates hypertension and autoantibody levels to the angiotensin II type 1 receptor in response to elevated cadmium during pregnancy

Abstract Introduction Preeclampsia is associated with the presence of pathogenic angiotensin-receptor-activating autoantibodies. Cadmium is an increasingly prevalent environmental pollutant that can mimic oestrogens, which may enhance immunoglobulin production. Progesterone exerts opposite effects to oestrogen. Methods We measured the levels of cadmium and progesterone in preeclamptic patients and controls. Pregnant rats exposed to cadmium (0.125 mg/kg body weight) from gestational day 9–12 were treated with/without progesterone (3 mg/kg) beginning from gestational day 9 to delivery. We analysed the main features of preeclampsia and circulating level of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor agonistic autoantibody. We also measured the expression of activation-induced cytosine deaminase in B cells. Results There were higher cadmium levels and lower progesterone levels in the blood of preeclamptic women than in the blood of those with a healthy pregnancy. Based on this finding, a rat model of preeclampsia was established by intraperitoneally administrating low-dose cadmium on gestational days 9–12. Rats were then treated with/without progesterone. Key features of preeclampsia, including hypertension, proteinuria and placental abnormalities, appeared in pregnant rats after cadmium injection and improved after treatment with progesterone. Cadmium increased immunoglobulin production, mainly angiotensin II type 1-receptor-agonistic autoantibodies, by increasing the expression of activation-induced cytosine deaminase in B cells; progesterone exerted an opposite effect. Conclusion Cadmium induced immune abnormalities that may be a key pathogenic contributor to preeclampsia. Progesterone supplementation to correct hormonal imbalance may be a viable strategy for preeclampsia management.