title: Human amniotic fluid cells are able to produce IL-6 and IL-8.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In order to investigate the role of amniotic fluid cells (AFC) in the establishment of feto-maternal immune relationship, we evaluated their phenotype and capacity to produce cytokines.
  
  
  METHODS
  CK 7-8, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-I, HLA-DR, HLA-G, CD1d, CD34, CD45, CD14 surface antigens expression and the intracellular production of IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-1 were studied in cultured AFC and in eight samples immediately after amniocentesis using flow cytometry. IL-6 and IL-8 were detected by ELISA in all amniotic fluids and in all culture supernatants. Moreover, IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA were tested in nine samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cultured AFC express HLA-I, HLA-G and CK 7-8 and are able to produce IL-6 and IL-8, confirmed by presence of their mRNA. We quantified IL-6 and IL-8 levels in all amniotic fluids and in all supernatants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surface antigen expression of AFC are not specific of immune cells, but AFC are able to produce cytokines and we can postulate that they may participate in mechanisms involved in normal as well as pathological pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Laboratori Sperimentali, Area Trapiantologica, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italia.
authors.forename: Iolanda
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mazzucchelli
authors.forename: Maria Antonietta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Avanzini
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ciardelli
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pagani
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Belloni
authors.forename: AnnaMaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castellazzi
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rondini
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Polatti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D012333:RNA, Messenger