Spontaneous and induced release of prostaglandins, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by placental tissue from normal andpreeclamptic pregnancies

PROBLEM: The objective of this study was to clarify the role of the main pr oinflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1: IL-6, tumor necrosis factor [T NF]-alpha) in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and how these cytokines affe ct one another and the production of prostaglandins (PGs). METHOD OF STUDY: The concentrations of cytokines and PGs in supernatants of placental tissue from preeclamptic and normal women were determined by enz yme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The concentrations of the PGs from unstimulated preeclamptic place ntal tissue were significantly higher compared to the concentrations of PGs from normal unstimulated placental tissue. Significant levels of IL-1 beta were observed only in the supernatants of preeclamptic placental tissue. O f interest, an increase in TNF-alpha. production was detected in the supern atants of IL-l-stimulated preeclamptic placental tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The overproduction of TNF-alpha may be related not only to the effect of a stimulant like IL-IP, but mainly to the lack of mechanisms dow n-regulating the production of TNF-alpha.