ETHANOL-INDUCED EXPRESSION OF CYTOKINES IN A FIRST-TRIMESTER TROPHOBLAST CELL-LINE

OBJECTIVES: Altered cytokine expression at the fetoplacental interlace may be a potential mechanism for the development of fetal immune dysf unction in children with fetal alcohol syndrome. This study was conduc ted to determine whether first-trimester trophoblasts respond to ethan ol exposure by the induction of specific cytokines. STUDY DESIGN: HTR- 8/SVneo trophoblast cells were cultured in vitro in the presence of ei ther ethanol (0.5% [vol/vol]), lipopolysaccharide (1 mu g/mL), or etha nol and lipopolysaccharide. Expression of granulocyte colony-stimulati ng factor, regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secrete d, and interleukin-6 was examined by Northern analysis and enzyme-link ed immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Culture in the presence of ethanol, l ipopolysaccharide, or lipopolysaccharide and ethanol resulted in the i ncreased transcription and secretion of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted, and interleukin-6 at significantly greater levels (P<.01) than contro l cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Human first-trimester trophoblasts express hi gh levels of cytokines when cultured in the presence of ethanol. Troph oblasts may therefore be an important exogenous source of cytokines fo r the fetus, and altered cytokine levels during early gestation may ha ve an adverse effect on the development of the fetal immune system.