Work

The role of complement and CD4 T cells in preeclampsia and offspring neurodevelopment

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Preeclampsia is a multifactorial hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Dysregulated innate complement activity and skewing of adaptive CD4+ T helper (T H ) responses (↑T H 1/T H 17, ↓Treg) contribute to maternal hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and proteinuria. Children exposed in utero to preeclampsia have higher rates of neurodevelopmental disorders. Because complement and T H pathways also shape normal neurodevelopment, converging clinical and experimental data link preeclampsia to immune dysregulation at the maternal-fetal interface, increased fetal exposure to inflammatory signals, and altered fetal brain development with downstream neurobehavioral effects. Interactions between complement (e.g., C3a/C5a) and T H cells is a plausible driver of these effects, but the precise mechanisms, timing, and tissue compartments remain to be defined.

Source: Current Opinion in Physiology

DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2026.100927

Authors: Jean F Regal, Courtney A O’Kane, Sabrina M Scroggins

Institutions: University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, Duluth

Language: English

Topic: Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies

Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500