Comparison of interleukin 1 production by adherent cells and tissue pieces from human placenta

Monocytes/macrophages from placenta have been reported to produce the immunological factor interleukin 1. In the present study both isolated adherent cells and tissue pieces produced interleukin 1, but the tissue piece culture supernatants also had colony stimulating activity. None of the following active factors were found in either culture supernatants: interleukin 2, interferon, erythropoietin and platelet-derived growth factor. Lysates of isolated placental cells contained interleukin 1, indicating that the factor was being produced in utero. Placentas from caesarean deliveries were likewise found to produce more interleukin 1 than placentas from normal term deliveries. The role(s) of placental-produced interleukin 1 is yet to be defined.