Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 in gestational tissues and maternal serum in normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancy.
Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1), a divergent member of transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, has been recently shown to be produced by the human placenta with detectable levels in maternal serum. In this study, using immunohistochemistry, we have localized MIC-1 in placenta, decidua and foetal membranes across pregnancy and, using an enzyme-linked immunoassay, measured MIC-1 in maternal serum in normal pregnancy, in association with labour and pre-eclampsia. In the placenta MIC-1 was principally localized to the syncytiotrophoblast while in the foetal membranes MIC-1 was present in the amniotic epithelium, chorionic trophoblasts and adherent decidual cells. There were no differences in MIC-1 staining distribution or intensity in the placentae between women in labour and not in labour, or between healthy and pre-eclamptic pregnancies. MIC-1 staining in the foetal membranes was slightly stronger after a labour and delivery compared to those delivered by elective Caesarean section. MIC-1 levels in the maternal serum increased with advancing gestation but there were no significant differences in maternal serum levels associated with either labour or pre-eclampsia.These observations would be consistent with MIC-1 having roles at the maternal-foetal interface, perhaps in the establishment and/or maintenance of pregnancy. Our data argue against MIC-1 having a significant role in the regulation of labour or in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia.
Marjono
A B
AB
Centre for Women's Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Brown
D A
DA
Horton
K E
KE
Wallace
E M
EM
Breit
S N
SN
Manuelpillai
U
U
D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D003656:Decidua / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second
D016207:Cytokines; C526140:GDF15 protein, human; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15