Cytokine expression by first-trimester human chorionic villi.
OBJECTIVE
Communication at the human maternal-fetal interface occurs by an intricate cytokine network. This study examines cytokine expression by normal first-trimester human chorionic villi.


METHODS
Tissues were obtained at elective pregnancy terminations (7-9 weeks). Total RNA was isolated from chorionic villi by guanidinium isothiocynate-acid phenol extraction. A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique was used to examine cytokine expression. beta-Actin was used as the housekeeping gene, and mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes served as positive controls.


RESULTS
beta-Actin was uniformly expressed by all chorionic villous samples. Interferon (IFN)-alpha and -beta also were highly expressed. Moderate expression was noted for interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-1 beta. In contrast, transforming growth factor-beta 1, IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-1 alpha were either weakly expressed or absent in first-trimester villi.


CONCLUSIONS
Cytokines may contribute to pregnancy immunotolerance (IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, and IL-10), viral resistance (IFNs), hormone secretion (IL-1 and IL-6), and cellular remodeling (IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha) within the chorionic villous.
Bennett
W A
WA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.
Lagoo-Deenadayalan
S
S
Stopple
J A
JA
Barber
W H
WH
Hale
E
E
Brackin
M N
MN
Cowan
B D
BD
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000276:immunology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines