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Abnormal First Trimester Serum Interleukin 18 Levels are Associated with a Poor Outcome in Women with a History of Recurrent Miscarriage
Author(s) -
Wilson Rhoda,
Moor Judith,
Jenkins Carol,
Miller Helen,
Walker James J.,
McLean Marjorie A.,
Norman J.,
McInnes I. B.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1046/j.8755-8920.2003.00126.x
Subject(s) - miscarriage , pregnancy , medicine , abortion , recurrent miscarriage , obstetrics , fetus , immune system , interleukin , cytokine , immunology , gynecology , biology , genetics
Problem: How the maternal immune system adapts to tolerate the fetus is not fully understood, but a successful pregnancy is associated with the production of Th2‐type cytokines and miscarriage is associated with the production of Th1‐type cytokines. Method of study: Levels of interferon (IFN)‐ γ , interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐12 and IL‐18 were measured in serum from 205 pregnant women of whom 115 pregnant women had a history of recurrent miscarriage. Results: Compared with healthy pregnant women those who miscarried had increased serum levels of the Th1‐associated cytokines IFN‐ γ , IL‐12 and IL‐18. Conclusions: Increased levels of IL‐18 appeared to be critical in early pregnancy and were able to discriminate between pregnancies that continued and those that end in miscarriage.