EXPRESSION OF INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES (INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA AND INTERLEUKIN-6) IN AMNIOCHORIONIC MEMBRANES

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the expression of in flammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6) by fetal m embranes in response to infection in vivo and to endotoxin in organ cu lture. STUDY DESIGN: Amniochorionic membranes were collected from infe cted and uninfected women and analyzed for cytokine messenger ribonucl eic acid and protein. Normal membranes were cultured and exposed to en dotoxin. Messenger ribonucleic acid expression was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Cellular localization of mes senger ribonucleic acid and protein was determined by in situ hybridiz ation and immunocytochemical evaluation, respectively. RESULTS: Messen ger ribonucleic acid for interleukin-1 beta appeared to be increased i n infected or endotoxin-stimulated amniochorionic membranes, whereas i nterleukin-6 messenger ribonucleic acid was only observed in infected membranes or after endotoxin stimulation. Interleukin-1 beta messenger ribonucleic acid was localized exclusively to chorionic cells, wherea s protein was observed in both chorion and amnion. Interleukin-6 messe nger ribonucleic acid and protein were produced in both amniotic and c horionic cells. CONCLUSION: Amniochorionic membranes are a site of inf lammatory cytokine production. These findings may have significance in preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes.