The passage of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor across the human placenta perfused in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the placental passage of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in a placental perfusion model ex vivo.


METHODS
In an open system, 11 placentas were perfused on both the maternal and the fetal side immediately after delivery. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor was added to the maternal perfusion medium in concentrations from 10-55 micrograms/mL. Maternal and fetal samples were taken, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Accumulation of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the fetal circuit averaged 2.42% of the concentration added initially to the arterial portion of the maternal circuit.


CONCLUSIONS
There is only low transfer of GM-CSF across the fetal membranes. This finding is particularly remarkable in view of recently published results suggesting that administration of recombinant granulocyte growth factors to pregnant women with imminent preterm delivery helps prevent neonatal sepsis.
Gregor
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria. hubertus.gregor@akh-wien.ac.at
Egarter
C
C
Levin
D
D
Sternberger
B
B
Heinze
G
G
Leitich
H
H
Reisenberger
K
K
D001158:Arteries; D001692:Biological Transport; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010477:Perfusion; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014680:Veins
D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor