Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Altered cytokine expression at the fetoplacental interface may be a potential mechanism
for the development of fetal immune dysfunction in children with fetal alcohol syndrome.
This study was conducted to determine whether first-trimester trophoblasts respond
to ethanol exposure by the induction of specific cytokines.
STUDY DESIGN: HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells were cultured in vitro in the presence of either ethanol
(0.5% [vol/vol]), lipopolysaccharide (1 μg/mL), or ethanol and lipopolysaccharide.
Expression of granulocyte colony–stimulating factor, regulated on activation normal
T cell expressed and secreted, and interleukin-6 was examined by Northern analysis
and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS: Culture in the presence of ethanol, lipopolysaccharide, or lipopolysaccharide and
ethanol resulted in the increased transcription and secretion of granulocyte colony–stimulating
factor, regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted, and interleukin-6
at significantly greater levels (P < .01) than control cultures.
CONCLUSIONS: Human first-trimester trophoblasts express high levels of cytokines when cultured
in the presence of ethanol. Trophoblasts may therefore be an important exogenous source
of cytokines for the fetus, and altered cytokine levels during early gestation may
have an adverse effect on the development of the fetal immune system. (Am J Obstet
Gynecol 1998;179:470-5.)
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
January 15,
1998
Received in revised form:
January 8,
1998
Received:
October 13,
1997
Footnotes
☆From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine.
☆☆Reprint requests: David M. Svinarich, PhD, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, C.S. Mott Center, 275 E Hancock Ave, Detroit, MI 48201.
★0002-9378/98 $5.00 + 0 6/1/89120
Identification
Copyright
© 1998 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
