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Pro-inflammatory maternal cytokine profile in preterm delivery
M Makhseed1, R Raghupathy, S El-Shazly
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait. valsa@hsc.kuniv.edu.kw
Summary
Preterm delivery (PTD) is linked to a maternal type 1 cytokine bias. Women with PTD showed higher type 1 cytokine production (interferon-gamma, interleukin-2) compared to healthy pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Cytokines play a crucial role in pregnancy outcomes.
- Immune system modulation is critical for successful gestation.
- Altered maternal immune responses are implicated in preterm delivery (PTD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate maternal cytokine profiles in women with PTD.
- To compare cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in normal pregnancy versus PTD.
- To assess immune responses to mitogens and placental antigens.
Main Methods:
- Collected PBMCs from 54 women with successful pregnancies and 30 with PTD.
- Stimulated PBMCs with a mitogen, autologous placental cells, and trophoblast antigen extract.
- Measured cytokine levels (IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10) in culture supernatants.
Main Results:
- PTD group exhibited significantly higher levels of type 1 cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2).
- Normal pregnancy group showed significantly greater production of type 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10).
- A type 1 cytokine bias was observed in women experiencing PTD.
Conclusions:
- Maternal immune responses in PTD are characterized by a type 1 cytokine bias.
- These findings suggest a potential immunological mechanism underlying PTD.
- Further research into immune modulation could offer therapeutic targets for PTD prevention.