FETAL CYTOKINE EXPRESSION IN-UTERO DETECTED BY REVERSE-TRANSCRIPTASE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

Cytokine expression at the maternal-fetal interface is well documented , Some authors have postulated the existence of a bidirectional cytoki ne signaling mechanism that is critical to the maintenance of normal p regnancy. The role of the fetus (versus fetally derived placental tiss ues) in this process is unknown, Using reverse transcription polymeras e chain reaction techniques, we studied paired maternal and fetal samp les from 16 pregnancies (including two twin pregnancies) for the prese nce of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1 beta mRNA. We demonstrate that mRNA for both of these cytokines can be detected in both maternal and fetal blood as early as the 21st wk of gestation. These results s upport a potential role for the fetus in the bidirectional cytokine si gnaling of pregnancy.