The expression pattern of two novel cytokines (IL-24 and IL-29) in human fetal membranes.

Objective: interleukin (IL)-24 and -29 are novel cytokines, produced by immune cells in response to microbial antigens. The functions of these cytokines in the reproductive system are unknown. We examined the expression pattern of IL-24 and IL-29 in human fetal membranes from preterm and term births and in in vitro in response to microbial antigens.

Diversity in cytokine response to bacteria associated with preterm birth by fetal membranes.

Objective: This study compared cytokine and prostaglandin (PG) responses by fetal membranes stimulated with 4 different bacterial species associated with preterm birth (PTB).

Study Design: Fetal membranes (n = 13 from normal term cesarean sections [not in labor]) in an organ explant system were stimulated with heat-killed Ureaplasma parvum, Gardanerella vaginalis, Escherichia coli, group B Streptococcus (GBS), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, and interferon-gamma) and PG (PGF(2alpha) and PGE(2)) concentrations were quantitated and compared.

Distinct pathophysiologic pathways induced by in vitro infection and cigarette smoke in normal human fetal membranes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to document distinct pathways that are initiated by lipopolysaccharide and cigarette smoke stimulation of normal term fetal membranes.

Study Design: Fetal membranes from nonsmoking women at term, not in labor, from cesarean deliveries were placed in an organ explant system and stimulated with cigarette smoke extracts (CSEs), lipopolysaccharide, or lipopolysaccharide + CSE. Media were assayed for an interleukin (IL)-1beta, -1 receptor antagonist, -6, -8, -10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors 1 and 2, and matrix metalloproteinases 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 12.

Spontaneous preterm birth, a clinical dilemma: etiologic, pathophysiologic and genetic heterogeneities and racial disparity.

Preterm labor leading to preterm delivery (<37 weeks' gestation) affects approximately 5-7% of live births in developed countries, but significantly higher in developing countries. Prematurity due to preterm birth (PTB) accounts for around 28% of neonatal mortality worldwide. Approximately 45-50% of PTBs are idiopathic or spontaneous, 30% are related to preterm rupture of membranes, and another 15-20% are attributed to medically indicated or elective preterm deliveries.

Amniotic fluid concentrations of collagenase-1 and collagenase-3 are increased in polyhydramnios.

Objective: Polyhydramnios places increased tension on the fetal membranes and should conceptually be associated with an increased need for tissue remodeling to prevent premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Herein we use polyhydramnios as a model to study the association of the collagenase class of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with tissue remodeling during pregnancy.

Methods: Amniotic fluids were collected by transabdominal amniocentesis from women with polyhydramnios and from women with normal amniotic fluid volume at second trimester, third trimester and at term.

Lipopolysaccharide stimulation of 70 kilo Dalton heat shock protein messenger ribonucleic acid production in cultured human fetal membranes.

Objective: The 70 kilo Dalton heat shock protein is up-regulated when cells are under physiological stress. It prevents protein denaturation and incorrect polypeptide assembly, and inhibits apoptosis as well as the transcription of genes coding for pro-inflammatory cytokines. To evaluate if up-regulation of heat shock protein 70 can occur during pregnancy, we examined whether addition of bacterial lipopolysaccharide to human amniochorion membranes in vitro stimulated heat shock protein 70 gene transcription.