IN-VITRO CYTOKINE AND PROSTAGLANDIN PRODUCTION BY AMNION CELLS IN THEPRESENCE OF BACTERIA

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate the effect of group B streptococci on cytokine and prostaglandin production by amnion cells in vitro. ST UDY DESIGN: Amnion cells from placentas obtained immediately after pri mary cesarean section were incubated for 48 hours with heat-inactivate d group B streptococci at increasing concentrations. Samples for quant ification of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor n ecrosis factor-alpha, and prostaglandin E-2 were collected at 6, 12, 2 4, and 48 hours. RESULTS: Basal cytokine production was not demonstrab le for any of the cytokines investigated. Incubation of amnion cells w ith bacterial antigen led to a significant increase in interleukin-6 a nd interleukin-8 production, whereas secretion of interleukin-1 alpha and tumor necrosis factor-oc was not enhanced. In contrast to cytokine s, basal prostaglandin E-2 production was measurable but failed to inc rease after addition of antigen. CONCLUSION: Amnion cells can be stimu lated to secrete interleukin-8 and interleukin-8 in response to strept ococcal antigen. However, this rise in cytokines does not induce an in crease in prostaglandin E-2. This may be explained by the lack of inte rleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-or production, two cytokines that have been shown to activate prostaglandin E-2 secretion by amnion cell s.