Objective:To characterize the deregulation of interleukin-33(IL-33)expression which regulated by autophagy in the pathological process of preeclampsia(PE). Methods:The expressions of IL-33 protein and autophagy were detected in placentas of normal term and pregnancies complicated with PE by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The levels of ST2

specific receptor of IL-33

and nuclear factor(NF-κB)were tested in placentas of normal term and pregnancies complicated with PE by Western blot.The autophagy pharmacological cell model was built in vitro by using HTR8/SVneo cell line which treated with 3-methyladenine(the inhibition of autophagy)and bafilomycin A1(the inhibition of autophagy body material degradation);then the expressions of IL-33

ST2 and NF-κB were detected by Western blots. Results:The expressions of IL-33 protein were reduced

expressions of LC3B/A were increased

expressions of ST2 protein and NF-κB were increased in placentas of pregnancies complicated with PE than in placentas of normal term(t=2.830

P=0.010;t=3.470

P=0.005;t=2.650

P=0.026;t=3.180

P=0.005). In addition

BAF treatment exerted negative influence on the level of IL-33 in HTR8/SVneo cells(ta=3.740

Pa=0.006)

however

3-MA treatment had no significant function.Conclusion:Autophagy plays a role in the pathophysiology mechanism of PE through the down-regulating the levels and anti-inflammatory effects of IL-33.