Diversity in cytokine response to bacteria associated with preterm birth by fetal membranes.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared cytokine and prostaglandin (PG) responses by fetal membranes stimulated with 4 different bacterial species associated with preterm birth (PTB).


METHODS
Fetal membranes (n = 13 from normal term cesarean sections [not in labor]) in an organ explant system were stimulated with heat-killed Ureaplasma parvum, Gardanerella vaginalis, Escherichia coli, group B Streptococcus (GBS), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, and interferon-gamma) and PG (PGF(2alpha) and PGE(2)) concentrations were quantitated and compared.


RESULTS
LPS and E coli increased all cytokine and PG productions compared with controls. Cytokine profiles were similar after G vaginalis and GBS stimulation. G vaginalis increased PGE(2), whereas GBS increased PGF(2alpha). U parvum demonstrated the mildest response with only IL-10 and TNF-alpha concentrations being higher with no detectible effect on PGs.


CONCLUSIONS
Fetal membrane cytokine signatures of 4 different bacteria associated with PTB are distinct, suggesting that infection as a potential cause of PTB is not homogeneous in its presentation.
Menon
Ramkumar
R
Perinatal Research Center, Centennial Women's Hospital, Nashville, TN, USA. rmenon3@emory.edu
Peltier
Morgan R
MR
Eckardt
Judith
J
Fortunato
Stephen J
SJ
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000032:analysis; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis; D014509:Ureaplasma
D016207:Cytokines; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma