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In Vitro Culture of Epithelial Cells from Different Anatomical Regions of the Human Amniotic Membrane
Published on: November 28, 2019
Human mid-gestation amniotic fluid contains interleukin-16 bioactivity
Catherine A Thornton1, Judith A Holloway, Janis K Shute
1Institute of Life Science, School of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea. c.a.thornton@swansea.ac.uk
Immunology
|March 13, 2009
Summary
Interleukin-16 (IL-16) in amniotic fluid attracts CD4+ T cells to the fetal gut during mid-pregnancy. This immune cell migration may influence early fetal immune system development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- CD4-positive cells are present in the human fetal gastrointestinal tract early in gestation.
- Interleukin-16 (IL-16) is a known chemoattractant for CD4+ cells.
- Fetal swallowing of amniotic fluid is a potential route for immune cell entry into the gut.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of IL-16 in the fetal gastrointestinal tract during pregnancy.
- To determine if IL-16 in amniotic fluid influences CD4+ cell influx into the fetal gut.
- To explore the relationship between IL-16 levels and atopic outcomes in infants.
Main Methods:
- Detection of IL-16 in amniotic fluid and fetal plasma across different gestational periods.
- Assay of chemotactic activity for CD4+ T cells in amniotic fluid, with and without anti-IL-16 antibodies.
- Quantification of IL-16 transcripts and immunoreactivity in fetal tissues (gut, skin, placenta, amniocytes).
- Correlation analysis between mid-pregnancy IL-16 levels/chemotactic activity and infant atopic outcomes.
Main Results:
- IL-16 was detected in mid-pregnancy amniotic fluid but not at term.
- Mid-pregnancy amniotic fluid showed CD4+ T cell chemotactic activity, reduced by anti-IL-16 antibodies.
- Fetal plasma IL-16 levels were high in early-mid gestation, decreasing later but remaining above adult levels at term.
- IL-16 transcripts and immunoreactivity were found in fetal gut, skin, and placenta.
- No association was found between mid-pregnancy IL-16 levels/activity and infant atopic outcomes.
Conclusions:
- IL-16 in amniotic fluid may play a role in attracting CD4+ cells to the developing fetal gut.
- IL-16 is present in fetal tissues and plasma, suggesting a broader role in fetal immunology.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise role of IL-16 in fetal and maternal immune regulation during pregnancy.
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