Cytokine promoter gene polymorphisms and idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss

Approximately one in 300 women experience recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), t he aetiology of which is unknown in at least 40% of cases. Previously, some studies have shown increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tum our necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma) and reduced production of a nti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-10) by circulating blood lymphocyte s isolated from these patients when compared with controls. The reasons for this are unclear. The production of these cytokines are partly under genet ic control. This study investigated whether polymorphisms in these three cy tokine genes known to be associated with either high or low production, are associated with idiopathic RPL. No association was found. It may be that g enetic factors are not a major determinant of cytokine production during pr egnancy, or alternatively it may be that the observed differences in cytoki ne production by peripheral lymphocytes do not accurately indicate what is occurring at the local maternofoetal interface during successful and aborti ve pregnancies. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.