Anti-inflammatory effects of interleukin-4, interleukin-10, and transforming growth factor-beta on human placental cells in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of anti-inflammatory cytokines on the production of inflammatory mediators by placental cells.


METHODS
Cells from term human placentas were isolated and cultured in vitro in the presence of anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. Their effects on the production of IL-8 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were investigated under basal conditions and after stimulation with IL-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha.


RESULTS
Both IL-10 and IL-4 inhibited IL-1 beta- and TNF-alpha-induced PGE2 production but had no significant effects on the production of PGE2 under basal conditions. TGF-beta 1 was without effect in stimulated cells, whereas under basal conditions TGF-beta 1 stimulated PGE2 production. Similar trends were seen for IL-8 production, with the exceptions that TGF-beta 1 decreased the TNF-alpha-induced production and IL-4 decreased basal IL-8 production.


CONCLUSIONS
The anti-inflammatory effects shown by IL-4, IL-10, and (to lesser extent) TGF-beta may play a role in ameliorating the potentially harmful effects of pro-inflammatory mediators in the feto-placental unit.
Goodwin
V J
VJ
Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Auckland School of Medicine, New Zealand.
Sato
T A
TA
Mitchell
M D
MD
Keelan
J A
JA
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007375:Interleukin-1; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D015232:Dinoprostone