Changes in cytokine production during and after normal pregnancy.

Abstract

PROBLEM:

The systemic T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) cytokine balance during normal human pregnancy is controversial, and observations about the balance in the postpartum period have only been reported for up to 3 months.

METHOD:

Whole-blood, from 83 healthy pregnant women, 80 healthy postpartum women, and 31 healthy non-pregnant women was stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, and the levels of cytokines in the supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS:

The production of all measured cytokines decreased during pregnancy, especially in the second trimester. After delivery, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) increased from 2 to 11 months postpartum, and IL-4 increased from 6 to 11 months postpartum.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data indicate that 1) decreases in production of both Th1-and Th2-type cytokines during pregnancy may be related to the pregnancy-induced amelioration of autoimmune diseases: 2) increases in production of both Th1- and Th2-type cytokines in the postpartum period may be related to the postpartum aggravation of autoimmune diseases.

• Authors: Y Shimaoka, Y Hidaka, H Tada, T Nakamura, N Mitsuda, Y Morimoto, Y Murata, N Amino
• Journal: American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989) (Am J Reprod Immunol) Vol. 44 Issue 3 Pg. 143-7 (Sep 2000) ISSN: 1046-7408 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 11028900 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cytokines

Topics

• Adult
• Autoimmune Diseases (immunology)
• Cytokines (biosynthesis)
• Female
• Humans
• Postpartum Period (blood, immunology)
• Pregnancy (blood, immunology)
• Pregnancy Trimesters (blood, immunology)