title: Effects of urocortin 2 and urocortin 3 on IL-10 and TNF-α expression and secretion from human trophoblast explants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Ucn2 and Ucn3 on cytokine expression and secretion from placental explants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Placentas were collected from healthy pregnancies at term elective caesarean delivery and trophoblast explants were prepared and treated with Ucn2 or Ucn3 in presence/absence of the selective CRH-R2 antagonist, astressin 2b. The mRNA expression and secretion of IL-10 and TNF-α were evaluated by Real Time RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  To evaluate the possible role of Ucn2 and Ucn3 in inflammatory pathways.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ucn2 increased the mRNA expression and secretion of IL-10 and TNF-α, and Ucn3 increased the mRNA expression and secretion of IL-10, but did not modify the secretion of TNF-α. Ucn3 treatment reversed the LPS-induce increase of TNF-α expression and release, an effect blocked by astressin 2b. Ucn2 potentiated the LPS-induced increase of TNF-α expression and release, an effect reversed by astressin 2b.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study showed that Ucn2 and Ucn3 differentially regulate the LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-10 expression and secretion in trophoblast explants acting through CRH-R2. A pro inflammatory effect of Ucn2 and an anti-inflammatory effect of Ucn3 in placental immunomodulatory mechanisms is suggested.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Novembri
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Torricelli
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Bloise
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Conti
authors: L R
authors: LR
authors: Galeazzi
authors: F M
authors: FM
authors: Severi
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Petraglia
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D054832:Urocortins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C101531:CRF receptor type 2; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C426705:UCN2 protein, human; C426704:UCN3 protein, human; D054832:Urocortins; C528574:astressin-2B; D016753:Interleukin-10; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone