Spontaneous and LPS-induced secretion of cytokines by villous chorion tissue.

Secretion of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha cytokines by villous chorion cultures (7-14 weeks) during normal pregnancy and in spontaneous abortions was studied. Secretion of IL-1alpha and IL-6 increased 4.5 and 7.3 times in miscarriages, while secretion of IL-1beta, IL-10, and TNF-alpha decreased. LPS stimulated the production of IL-1alpha and IL-6 in samples obtained during surgical abortion. LPS stimulated IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha secretion in miscarriages, while the level of IL-6 production decreased significantly. It is hypothesized that increased production of IL-1alpha and IL-6 and attenuation of the antiinflammatory effect of IL-10 play an important role in the pathogenesis of miscarriages at early stages of gestation. The results suggest that cytokine regulation of the fetus rejection is different at early and late stages of gestation.