The relationship of systemic TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma with IVF treatment outcome and peripheral blood NK cells.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the association of serum tumour necrotic factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma levels with IVF treatment outcome and peripheral blood NK cells.


METHODS
Prospective observational study of 126 randomly selected women who underwent IVF treatment. The serum levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were determined by multiplex suspension beads array system.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences with regard to the systemic TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels between the pregnant (n = 51, TNF-alpha: 53.5 pg/mL; IFN-gamma: 4.6 pg/mL) and not pregnant (n = 75, TNF-alpha: 63.0; IFN-gamma: 7.5) women after IVF treatment. For those women with a positive pregnancy after IVF treatment, the systemic TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels were higher in those women who miscarried (n = 13, TNF-alpha: 67.4; IFN-gamma: 9.1) when compared with those who had a live birth (n = 38, TNF-alpha: 48.7; IFN-gamma: 1.4), however this difference was not statistically significant. Interestingly, the systemic TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels were significantly higher in women who had a higher level of activated (CD69(+)) NK cells (n = 39, TNF-alpha: 86.8; IFN-gamma: 4.7) when compared with women who had a low level of activated NK cells (n = 87, TNF-alpha: 46.9; IFN-gamma: 1.7 P = 0.028 and 0.045 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The systemic levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma have no association with implantation rate or miscarriage rate in women undergoing IVF treatment. However, high levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma are associated with elevated levels of activated NK cells and this may subsequently exert a negative impact on reproduction.
Thum
Meen-Yau
MY
Lister Fertility Clinic, Lister Hospital, 16 Calder Court, 253 Rotherhithe Street, London, UK. mythum@doctors.net.uk
Abdalla
Hossam I
HI
Bhaskaran
Shree
S
Harden
Emily L
EL
Ford
Brian
B
Sumar
Nazira
N
Shehata
Hassan
H
Bansal
Amolak
A
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000097:blood; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D050498:Live Birth; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000099192:CD69 Antigens