IL-6 and G-CSF levels in amniotic fluid during the second trimester in normal and abnormal pregnancies

Activity levels of cytokines were measured by stimulation of the cell lines NFS-60, 7TD1, and TF-1. In 39 samples of amniotic fluid, levels of Granulocyte-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) were 1434 +/- 2063 (mean +/- SD) and of Interleukin (IL-6) 546 +/- 1071 pg/ml; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) was not detectable. IL-6 was correlated to G-CSF (r = 0.3; p = 0.003). G-CSF (p = 0.0002) and IL-6 (p = 0.006) were influenced by Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) and G-CSF by rhesus-incompatibility (p = 0.0004). These findings suggest that cytokines such as IL-6 and G-CSF play some role in physiological and pathological pregnancy.