title: Immunoregulatory molecules during pregnancy and at birth.
abstract: Regulation of the maternal immune response to the fetal allograft is essential for the success of pregnancy and delivery of a well-developed neonate. Numerous mechanisms have been postulated to mediate this. We hypothesised that the potent immunosuppressive molecules TGF-beta1 and IL-10 could contribute to this regulation in the mother and neonate during gestation. In comparison to non-pregnant women, TGF-beta1 and cortisol levels were increased significantly in mid (16-18 weeks) and late pregnancy (>37 weeks, no labour), with levels of both highest in late gestation. In contrast, IL-10 levels were significantly lower in maternal plasma in mid-gestation compared with that from late pregnancy and from non-pregnant women. TGF-beta1, IL-10 and cortisol were all detectable in umbilical cord blood plasma with TGF-beta1 levels significantly decreased in association with labour in contrast to cortisol levels that increased with labour. IL-10 levels in cord plasma were comparable to those of adults and did not change with mode of delivery. Elevated levels of TGF-beta1, but not IL-10, in the maternal and neonatal circulation could have a role in immunoregulation of the maternal response to the fetal allograft as well as growth and development of the fetus.
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Inflammation Sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Lynsey L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Power
authors.forename: Eleanor J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Popplewell
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Holloway
authors.forename: Norma D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Diaper
authors.forename: John O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
chemical_list: C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D016753:Interleukin-10; D006854:Hydrocortisone