Binding of interleukin-8 to heparan sulphate enhances cervical maturation in rabbits

Cervical ripening is a cytokine-trigged process with substantial remodellin g of the cervical extracellular matrix. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is an importan t cytokine in cervical maturation, Glycosaminoglycans are also included in this process, but their role in not clearly understood. The effects of hepa ran sulphate (HS), hyaluronic acid (HA), IL-8, HS + IL-8 and HA + IL-8 on b iochemical properties of the cervix were examined in non-pregnant rabbits, The changes in vascular pattern with collagen structure of the cervices and immunohistochemical studies, together with the relative collagen concentra tions, were determined. A reduction in relative collagen concentration was significant after HS + IL-8,IL-8 and HA + IL-8 treatment (all P < 0.0001). Gel electrophoresis analysis showed that IL-8 bound preferentially to HS th an to HA. Neutrophils were significantly increased in number (P < 0.0001) a nd located predominantly beneath the glandular epithelium and around the bl ood vessels after HS + IL-8 treatment, HS + IL-8 treatment caused cervices to increase their water content and become oedematous. The collagen fibres were considerably dissociated, the interfibrillar spaces markedly dilated, and the blood vessels notably increased and dilated. We conclude that bindi ng to HS enhances the activity of IL-8 in inducing cervical maturation.