In vitro and in vivo production of interleukin-6 by fetal mononuclear cells.
We examined the functional activity of cord mononuclear cells (MNCs) to produce interleukin (IL)-6 in vitro and in vivo. We stimulated fetal T-cell, B-cell, and macrophage fractions with mitogens. The supernatant of each stimulated cord cell fraction contained a comparable amount of IL-6 to that of each adult cell fraction activated similarly, suggesting functional maturity of cord MNCs' ability to produce IL-6. We then examined fetal cells' activities to produce IL-6 in response to perinatal infections, especially to intraamniotic infections (IAI). Among the cord MNCs from fetuses with IAI, macrophages were major cells producing IL-6. The serum IL-6 level in the fetuses with IAI was elevated, but it decreased to normal levels after antibiotic treatment; this finding indicates that IL-6-mediated host defense mechanisms by cord MNCs are triggered by perinatal infections.
Matsuzaki
N
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
Saji
F
F
Kameda
T
T
Yoshizaki
K
K
Okada
T
T
Sawai
K
K
Tanizawa
O
O
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000473:pathology; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation
D015850:Interleukin-6