title: Prolactin and proinflammatory cytokine expression at the fetomaternal interface in first trimester miscarriage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression of prolactin (PRL), PRL-receptor (PRL-R), and the TH1 cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) at the maternofetal interface.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital unit of gynecology and obstetrics and research laboratories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women undergoing suction curettage for spontaneous miscarriage (study group) and voluntary termination of pregnancy (control group) in the first trimester.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples of decidua and villi collected and histologically examined at the time of suction curettage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluation of all villous samples for karyotype with only euploid cases included; detection of transcripts of PRL, PRL-R, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2 by qualitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); investigation of pattern and site of expression by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, PRL-R and IFN-γ were broadly expressed. The expression of PRL was impaired or absent in the villi of the study group compared with controls. Expression of TNF-α was reduced, although not statistically significantly, in both decidual and villous samples of the study group. Immunohistochemical analysis showed the lack of IL-2 expression in decidual specimens of the control group versus the full expression shown in the study group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results highlight the correspondence between PRL expression and vital pregnancy and the involvement of the TH1 cytokines with different specific roles at the implantation site. Prolactin and IL-2 may reciprocally influence expression.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Health Sciences, San Paolo Hospital Medical School, University of Milano, Milan, Italy. emgarzi@tin.it
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garzia
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clauser
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Persani
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Borgato
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bulfamante
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Avagliano
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Quadrelli
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Marconi
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003656:Decidua / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011388:Prolactin