In vitro cytokine and prostaglandin production by amnion cells in the presence of bacteria.

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to evaluate the effect of group B streptococci on cytokine and prostaglandin production by amnion cells in vitro.

STUDY DESIGN

Amnion cells from placentas obtained immediately after primary cesarean section were incubated for 48 hours with heat-inactivated group B streptococci at increasing concentrations. Samples for quantification of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and prostaglandin E2 were collected at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours.

RESULTS

Basal cytokine production was not demonstrable for any of the cytokines investigated. Incubation of amnion cells with bacterial antigen led to a significant increase in interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 production, whereas secretion of interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha was not enhanced. In contrast to cytokines, basal prostaglandin E2 production was measurable but failed to increase after addition of antigen.

CONCLUSION

Amnion cells can be stimulated to secrete interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in response to streptococcal antigen. However, this rise in cytokines does not induce an increase in prostaglandin E2. This may be explained by the lack of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production, two cytokines that have been shown to activate prostaglandin E2 secretion by amnion cells.