Cytokines: Important for implantation?
OBJECTIVE
Cytokines are obviously very important in an established pregnancy, but what about human embryo implantation?


METHODS
Literature review.


RESULTS
We first discuss the necessity and limits of animal models, and then review the few cytokines which have been demonstrated by knock-out methods to be absolutely necessary for embryo implantation using in animal models. We then review what is known or discussed about the role of other cytokines as deduced from quantitative and/or qualitative dysregulation in animals and in humans.


CONCLUSIONS
Cytokines are indeed involved in implantation as they are in ongoing pregnancy and delivery. Relevance to infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss is discussed.
Chaouat
Gérard
G
U 782 INSERM, Equipe cytokines et dialogue cytokinique mère conceptus, Université Paris Sud et Hôpîtal Antoine Béclère, 32 rue des Carnets, Clamart Cedex, France. gerard_chaouat@wanadoo.fr
Dubanchet
Sylvie
S
Ledée
Nathalie
N
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000502:physiology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D023421:Models, Animal; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000502:physiology; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000502:physiology
D016207:Cytokines; D019409:Interleukin-15; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors