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Human decidua: a source of cachectin-tumor necrosis factor
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.
European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology
|September 13, 1991
Summary
Human decidua can produce cachectin-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) when exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This suggests TNF-alpha may play a role in infection-induced parturition.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cachectin-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a cytokine implicated in initiating human parturition, particularly during infection.
- The role of decidual cells in TNF-alpha production during pregnancy complications remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether human decidua can synthesize and release TNF-alpha in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Main Methods:
- Human decidual explants were obtained from women undergoing elective cesarean sections.
- Explants were incubated with or without Escherichia coli LPS (25 ng/ml) for 20 hours.
- TNF-alpha levels in conditioned media were quantified using enzyme-linked immunoassay and a L929 bioassay.
Main Results:
- Unstimulated decidual explants produced undetectable or low levels of TNF-alpha.
- LPS-stimulated decidua produced significant amounts of TNF-alpha (mean = 2.6 pmol/mg protein per 20 hours).
- A strong correlation was observed between immunoreactive and bioactive TNF-alpha measurements (r = 0.76, P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Human decidua possesses the capacity to produce TNF-alpha in vitro when stimulated by LPS.
- These findings support the hypothesis that TNF-alpha, produced by decidua, may contribute to the initiation of parturition in response to infection.