[Influence of transforming growth factor-beta2 on production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma from placenta of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2) on production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) from placenta of patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).


METHODS
Villous explants from 10 ICP patients (ICP group) and 10 normal gravidae (control group) were cultured in vitro. The concentrations of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in the culture medium were determined by enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) after incubation with different concentrations of TGF-beta2 for 1, 24 and 48 hours.


RESULTS
(1) After cultured for 1, 24 and 48 hours, TNF-alpha level in ICP group was (771 +/- 187) pg/g, (2 490 +/- 575) pg/g, and (3339 +/- 1106) pg/g, respectively, while IFN-gamma level was (931 +/- 148) pg/g, (1888 +/- 545) pg/g, and (3027 +/- 667) pg/g, respectively. All were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P < 0.001). (2) TGF-beta2 could inhibit the release of above cytokines in a time- and dose-dependent manner: TNF-alpha level was (2490 +/- 575) pg/g, (1806 +/- 502) pg/g, and (1231 +/- 238) pg/g after 24 h, (3339 +/- 1106) pg/g, (2168 +/- 794) pg/g, and (1047 +/- 183) pg/g after 48 h, respectively; IFN-gamma level was (1888 +/- 545) pg/g, (1 347 +/- 405) pg/g, and (913 +/- 303) pg/g after 24 h, and (3027 +/- 667) pg/g, (2062 +/- 795) pg/g, and (1001 +/- 301) pg/g after 48 h, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) The excessive production of TH1 type cytokines TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma may involve in the pathogenesis of ICP; (2) TGF-beta2 may exert immunoprotection effect through inhibiting the production of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma.
Ai
Ying
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Liu
Shu-yun
SY
D000328:Adult; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma