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Variations in cytokine mRNA expression during normal human pregnancy.

N Kruse¹, M Greif, N F Moriabadi

¹Department of Neurology, Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg, Germany.

Clinical and Experimental Immunology

|January 13, 2000

Summary

Pregnancy modulates the immune system by reducing key pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA, including interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). These changes may explain the reduced activity of autoimmune diseases during gestation.

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Reproductive Biology
Genetics

Background:

T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases often show reduced activity during pregnancy.
Human immune responses to pregnancy are not fully understood, unlike in animal models.

Purpose of the Study:

To prospectively analyze cytokine mRNA expression and serum hormone levels in pregnant women.
To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of pregnancy on cytokine profiles in humans.

Main Methods:

Prospective analysis of cytokine mRNA expression in whole blood using on-line RT-PCR.
Measurement of serum hormone levels (hCG, 17beta-estradiol) in pregnant and non-pregnant women.

Main Results:

Significantly reduced IL-18, IFN-gamma, and IL-2 mRNA levels were observed in the first and second trimesters.

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Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA showed no significant difference.

IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA levels were reduced in later trimesters compared to controls.

Conclusions:

Pregnancy induces significant immunomodulatory effects at the cytokine mRNA level.
Observed cytokine changes correlate with hormonal variations (hCG, 17beta-estradiol).
These findings may explain the clinical course variations in autoimmune diseases during pregnancy.