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The role of cytokines in gestation
S A Robertson1, R F Seamark, L J Guilbert
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, South Australia.
Insights
Cytokines are crucial for communication between the mother and conceptus during pregnancy. These lymphohemopoietic cytokines regulate conceptus development and tissue invasion for successful mammalian reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Developmental biology
- Cellular communication
Background:
- Lymphohemopoietic cytokines mediate crucial cellular communication during mammalian reproduction.
- These cytokines are vital for interactions between the conceptus and maternal tissues, including the uterine epithelium and leukocytes.
- Their role is significant both before implantation and during placental development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent experimental data on cytokine synthesis in reproductive tissues.
- To highlight current hypotheses regarding the roles of cytokines in successful pregnancy.
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms controlling conceptus development and invasion.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of experimental data on cytokine synthesis.
- Analysis of current hypotheses on cytokine function in pregnancy.
- Synthesis of information on cytokine networks in reproductive processes.
Main Results:
- Cytokines are central to conceptus-maternal communication during pregnancy.
- Specific cytokines are synthesized in uterine and conceptus-derived tissues.
- These molecules play key roles in implantation and placental development.
Conclusions:
- Complex and balanced cytokine networks are essential for regulating conceptus development.
- Precise control over conceptus invasion into maternal tissues is cytokine-dependent.
- Cytokines are fundamental to establishing and maintaining successful mammalian pregnancy.
Abstract:
Lymphohemopoietic cytokines are now recognized to be central participants in the cellular communication events underlying the complex and dynamic remodeling processes required to accommodate the semiallogeneic conceptus during mammalian reproduction. Cytokines are identified to be particular importance in mediating communications between the conceptus and maternal cells, particularly the uterine epithelium and infiltrating leukocytes, both prior to implantation and as the placenta develops. In this review we summarize recent experimental data concerning the synthesis of various cytokines in uterine and conceptus-derived tissues and highlight current hypotheses for their roles in establishing and maintaining successful pregnancy. It is concluded that complex and finely balanced cytokine networks underpin precise regulatory mechanisms controlling the rate and degree of conceptus development and invasion into maternal tissues.