Cytokine production and cytokine receptor expression by cells of the human first trimester placental-uterine interface.

There is currently a great deal of interest in the role that cytokines may play in placental development. A variety of cytokines have been demonstrated at the placental-uterine interface, but the exact cellular sources of production have not yet been identified due to the complex tissue topography of the implantation site. In the present study, we have used the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to investigate cytokine production in vitro by cells isolated with a high degree of purity from the placenta and decidua. The cytokines assayed were EGF, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-2, IL-3, interferon alpha (IFN-alpha), IFN-gamma, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). A necessary starting point in the elucidation of cytokine function is to define those cell populations which express relevant cytokine receptors as this would identify the potential cell targets. For this reason, cytokine receptor expression by placental and uterine cells using immunohistology and flow cytometry has been investigated, those being: IGF-1r, PDGF-r alpha/beta, IL-1rII, IL-6r, IL-7r, IFN-gamma r, TNF-rp80 and endoglin. Taken in conjunction with previously published data on other cytokine receptors, a comprehensive picture can begin to be constructed of the putative cytokine-responding cells present in the human placental-uterine interface.