EFFECTS OF INTERLEUKIN-6 AND TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA ON PROSTAGLANDIN PRODUCTION BY CULTURED HUMAN FETAL MEMBRANES

In this study we investigated the effects of the cytokines interleukin -6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on prostaglandin production by cultured human fetal membranes. These cytokines stimula te prostaglandin synthesis by isolated components of human fetal membr anes, but their effects on the intact tissue comprising amnion, chorio n and decidua were not known. TNF-alpha added to the maternal side of the membrane activated decidual production of PGF2alpha but had no eff ects on synthesis of PGE2 or PGE2 metabolites. Addition of TNF-alpha t o the fetal side of the membrane increased production of PGE2 by amnio n and PGE2 metabolites from chorion. The addition of IL-6 to the fetal or the maternal side of the membrane increased production of PGE2 fro m amnion and PGE2m from chorion, suggesting that IL-6 might pass throu gh the fetal membrane. IL-6 had no effect on decidual PGF2alpha produc tion. These results suggest that TNF-alpha may be involved in labor by increasing decidual prostaglandin synthesis, whereas IL-6 is less lik ely to have a role.