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Changes in cytokine production during and after normal pregnancy
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Japan.
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989)
|October 12, 2000
Summary
Cytokine production, including T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) types, decreases during pregnancy and increases postpartum. This cytokine balance shift may influence autoimmune disease activity in pregnant and postpartum individuals.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- The T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) cytokine balance during human pregnancy is not well understood.
- Previous studies on postpartum cytokine balance are limited to 3 months.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the systemic Th1/Th2 cytokine balance throughout normal pregnancy and up to 11 months postpartum.
- To explore the relationship between cytokine profiles and autoimmune disease activity.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure cytokine levels.
- Whole blood samples from pregnant, postpartum, and non-pregnant women were stimulated with PMA and ionomycin.
Main Results:
- Cytokine production, for both Th1 and Th2 types, significantly decreased during pregnancy, particularly in the second trimester.
- Postpartum, levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) increased from 2 to 11 months.
- Interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels rose from 6 to 11 months postpartum.
Conclusions:
- Reduced Th1 and Th2 cytokine production during pregnancy may contribute to the amelioration of autoimmune diseases.
- Increased Th1 and Th2 cytokine production in the postpartum period might be linked to the exacerbation of autoimmune conditions.