Do cytokines contribute to the Andean-associated protection from reduced fetal growth at high altitude?
Pro- versus anti-inflammatory cytokine balance is important for successful pregnancy. Chronic hypoxia alters cytokine levels and increases the frequency of fetal growth restriction (FGR). Multigenerational Andean (AND) versus shorter duration European (EUR) high-altitude (HA) residents are protected from altitude-associated FGR. To address whether ancestry group differences in cytokine levels were involved, we conducted serial studies in 56 low-altitude ([LA]; 400 m; n = 29 AND and n = 27 EUR) and 42 HA residents (3600-4100 m; n = 19 ANDs and n = 23 EURs). Pregnancy raised pro- (interleukin 1β [IL-1β]) and anti- (IL-10) inflammatory cytokines and HA lowered IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) near term. There were no ancestry group differences in cytokine levels at any time, but HA reduced IL-1β in ANDs only near term. Higher IL-1β levels correlated with uterine artery (UA) blood flow at 20 weeks in ANDs at HA, suggesting that IL-1β may play a role in AND protection from altitude-associated reductions in fetal growth.
Dávila
R Daniela
RD
Altitude Research Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. daniela.davila@ucdenver.edu
Julian
Colleen G
CG
Wilson
Megan J
MJ
Browne
Vaughn A
VA
Rodriguez
Carmelo
C
Bigham
Abigail W
AW
Shriver
Mark D
MD
Vargas
Enrique
E
Moore
Lorna G
LG
D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001838:Bolivia; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000097:blood; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D044465:White People
D016207:Cytokines; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4