Quantitation and localization of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in the lower uterine segment during cervical dilatation.
OBJECTIVE
Cervical dilatation during parturition is associated with a significant increase of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. The purpose of this study was to localize the respective messenger RNA and to quantitate their protein levels during various stages of dilatation.


METHODS
Protein extracts from 34 biopsy specimens of the lower uterine segment at various stages of cervical dilatation (<2, 2 to <4, 4-6, and >6 cm) were subjected to enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for IL-6 and IL-8 to document their concentration. The respective mRNA expression was studied using reverse transcriptase PCR using IL-6 and IL-8 specific primers. Localization of IL-6 and IL-8 was done by in situ hybridization using biotinylated probes.


RESULTS
The IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations increased significantly in the lower uterine segment tissues at 4-6 cm of dilatation. Expression of IL-8 was seen in all the tissues at or more than 4 cm dilatation, whereas IL-6 expression was inconsistent. In situ hybridization localized IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA to the glandular epithelium.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in the inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) during parturition is associated with cervical effacement.
Kemp
Birgit
B
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Technical University, Aachen, Germany.
Menon
Ramkumar
R
Fortunato
Stephen J
SJ
Winkler
Matthias
M
Maul
Holger
H
Rath
Werner
W
D001706:Biopsy; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D012333:RNA, Messenger