Human cervical ripening, an inflammatory process mediated by cytokines

An extensive remodelling process, referred to as cervical ripening, takes p lace in the cervical tissue during pregnancy and labour. It is recognized a s softening and dilation of the cervical canal, and starts as a slow proces s during pregnancy, becoming rapid close to partum. in this study we focus on cytokines as possible mediators of this final remodelling. mRNA levels f or interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CS F) were upregulated in the ripe postpartum cervical tissue (n = 8) compared to the unripe state (n = 9). Likewise, released cytokine concentrations in creased from non-pregnant (n = 11) to the term-pregnant group (n = 13) with a further increase at partum (n = 16). IL-8 concentrations increased 4-fol d from non-pregnant to term-pregnant (P < 0.01), a nd a further 10-fold to postpartum state (P < 0.0001). Concentrations of IL-6 and G-CSF were simila rly increased. Specific IL-8 immunostaining was identified in the epithelia of pregnant cervical tissue (n = 7) and was most pronounced in the epithel ia and stroma of postpartum tissue (n = 4). In conclusion, IL-8, IL-6 and G -CSF increase in the human cervix during the ripening process, indicating t heir important role in the cervical remodelling. These data demonstrate tha t cervical ripening is similar to an inflammatory process.