The roles played by IL-10, IL-23 and IL-17A in term delivery

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Reproductive Biology
• Neonatal Medicine

Background:

• The immune system, particularly cytokine signaling, is implicated in parturition.
• The precise roles of cytokines like IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-23 in human term delivery remain unclear.
• Investigating these cytokines in maternal and neonatal serum can elucidate their involvement in pregnancy progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine and compare serum levels of IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-23 in mothers and neonates from term and prolonged pregnancies.
• To explore potential sex-based differences in these cytokine levels within neonates.
• To assess the relationship between maternal gravidity and IL-10 levels in term pregnancies.

Main Methods:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify serum concentrations of IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-23.
• A total of 240 samples were analyzed, comprising 60 sets from mothers and their neonates across term and prolonged pregnancy groups.
• Statistical comparisons were made between maternal and neonatal groups, as well as between sexes and gravidity levels.

Main Results:

• Neonatal IL-10 levels were lower in prolonged pregnancies compared to their mothers.
• IL-23 levels were elevated in neonates (both term and prolonged pregnancy) relative to their mothers.
• In prolonged pregnancies, female neonates exhibited lower IL-10 and higher IL-23 than males; higher maternal gravidity correlated with decreased IL-10 in term pregnancies.

Conclusions:

• Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) appears to have a limited role in the delivery process.
• Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Interleukin-23 (IL-23) show altered levels correlating with pregnancy duration and may be key modulators of term delivery.
• These findings suggest IL-10 and IL-23 as potential biomarkers for pregnancy outcomes.