[Expression of cytokine messenger RNA in murine placenta]

The expression of the cytokine genes in normal placenta was studied using RT-PCR method capable of detecting low levels of mRNA. Total RNA was prepared from placenta of specific pathogen-free BALB/c mice at the 16th day of gestation by acid guanidinium thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform (AGPC) method. cDNA was synthesized by M-MLV reverse transcriptase, and amplified using the specific oligonucleotide primers for IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IFN-alpha, IFN-beta and IFN-gamma by PCR method. IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IFN-alpha, IFN-beta and IFN-gamma mRNA were detected in all the placentas tested. On the other hand, the expressions of IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, and IL-5 mRNA were not detected at all. These results suggest that these cytokines may play a role in the evolution of pregnancy.