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Modulations of cytokine expression in pregnant women
J Tranchot-Diallo1, G Gras, F Parnet-Mathieu
1Service de Neurovirologie, DSV/DRM/SNV, IPSC, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France.
Problem:
Although the overall anti-infectious and anti-parasitic immunity of parous women appears normal, several aspects of maternal cell-mediated and humoral immunity are altered during pregnancy. This has been suggested to occur via preferential local and systemic secretion of Th-2 type cytokines, which down-regulate or prevent secretion/action of Th-1 type cytokines, in animals as well as in humans.
Method:
To evaluate the influence of gestation on the maternal immune system, we have measured, in pregnant women, the mRNAs coding for several cytokines (TNF alpha, IFN gamma, GM-CSF, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, by use of semi-quantitative RT-PCR.
Results:
Our results show significant modulations of IFN gamma, IL-1 beta, IL-4, and IL-6 genes expression especially during the third trimester and near parturition.
Conclusion:
Cytokine expression is thus finely tuned in peripheral blood during pregnancy, in a previously unexpected complex pattern, related to gestational stage.