title: Cytokines of the placenta and extra-placental membranes: biosynthesis, secretion and roles in establishment of pregnancy in women.
abstract: Virtually all known cytokines have been demonstrated to be expressed in the placenta and associated fetal and maternal membranes during normal gestation. In addition to playing their traditional roles as modulators of immunological function, cytokines derived from the placenta and extraplacental membranes, together with other locally-derived growth factors, appear to be implicated in various aspects of implantation and placental development. Imbalances in the intrauterine cytokine milieu around the time of implantation and invasion may play a causative role in disorders associated with early pregnancy failure, and are also associated with the abnormal trophoblast development seen in gestational trophoblastic disease. Cytokines thus appear to be an important component of a paracrine/autocrine communication network operating within the feto-maternal interface to ensure the successful establishment of pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: The Liggins Institute, Division of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chamley
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Keelan
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000276:immunology; D018925:Chemokines / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000502:physiology; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D010929:Placentation; D011247:Pregnancy; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology; D014328:Trophoblastic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D007372:Interferons