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Cellular immune responses in amniotic fluid of women with preterm labor and intra‐amniotic infection or intra‐amniotic inflammation
Author(s) -
GomezLopez Nardhy,
Romero Roberto,
Galaz Jose,
Xu Yi,
Panaitescu Bogdan,
Slutsky Rebecca,
Motomura Kenichiro,
Gill Navleen,
Para Robert,
Pacora Percy,
Jung Eunjung,
Hsu ChaurDong
Publication year - 2019
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 - 10.1111/aji.13171
Subject(s) - amniotic fluid , inflammation , immune system , chemokine , immunology , medicine , amniotic epithelial cells , andrology , amnion , biology , pregnancy , fetus , in vitro , biochemistry , genetics , adult stem cell , endothelial stem cell
Problem Preterm birth is commonly preceded by preterm labor, a syndrome that is causally linked to both intra‐amniotic infection and intra‐amniotic inflammation. However, the stereotypical cellular immune responses in these two clinical conditions are poorly understood. Method of study Amniotic fluid samples (n = 26) were collected from women diagnosed with preterm labor and intra‐amniotic infection (amniotic fluid IL‐6 concentrations ≥2.6 ng/mL and culturable microorganisms, n = 10) or intra‐amniotic inflammation (amniotic fluid IL‐6 concentrations ≥2.6 ng/mL without culturable microorganisms, n = 16). Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the phenotype and number of amniotic fluid leukocytes. Amniotic fluid concentrations of classical pro‐inflammatory cytokines, type 1 and type 2 cytokines, and T‐cell chemokines were determined using immunoassays. Results Women with spontaneous preterm labor and intra‐amniotic infection had (a) a greater number of total leukocytes, including neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages, in amniotic fluid; (b) a higher number of total T cells and CD4 + T cells, but not CD8 + T cells or B cells, in amniotic fluid; and (c) increased amniotic fluid concentrations of IL‐6, IL‐1β, and IL‐10, compared to those with intra‐amniotic inflammation. However, no differences in amniotic fluid concentrations of T‐cell cytokines and chemokines were observed between these two clinical conditions. Conclusion The cellular immune responses observed in women with preterm labor and intra‐amniotic infection are more severe than in those with intra‐amniotic inflammation, and neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, and CD4 + T cells are the main immune cells responding to microorganisms that invade the amniotic cavity. These findings provide insights into the intra‐amniotic immune mechanisms underlying the human syndrome of preterm labor.