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Accurate and Simple Measurement of the Pro-inflammatory Cytokine IL-1β using a Whole Blood Stimulation Assay
06:29

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Published on: March 1, 2011

IL-1 beta is a better inducer of apoptosis in human fetal membranes than IL-6

S J Fortunato1, R Menon

  • 1The Perinatal Research Center of The Women's Health Research and Education Foundation and Aquinas College, 2300 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. fortunat@edge.net

Placenta
|October 29, 2003
PubMed

The objective of this study was to compare two of the inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and IL-6) elevated in both preterm labour and preterm premature rupture of the membranes (pPROM), with respect to their ability to induce fetal membrane apoptosis. Fetal membranes collected from women at term were placed in an organ explant system and stimulated with recombinant human IL-1 beta and IL-6. The expression patterns of pro-apoptotic genes (Fas, FasL, TRADD, FADD) and caspases 2, 3, 8, 9 were studied using PCR. Caspase activity and DNA fragmentation were studied using substrate assays and TUNEL respectively. Caspase 8 and 9 expressions were induced in IL-1 beta and IL-6 treated amniochorion. Caspase 2 expression was seen only in IL-1 beta stimulated tissues. When compared to control, IL-1 beta increased caspase 2, 3, 8 and 9 activities, whereas IL-6 treated membranes did not exhibit a significant change. DNA fragmentation was seen in greater numbers after IL-1 beta treatment than after IL-6 treatment. This study demonstrates that IL-1 beta is a better inducer of apoptosis in normal human fetal membranes than IL-6.

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