The effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-6 on chorioamnion secretion of prostaglandins (PG)F 2 alpha and E2 in pigs

Changes in Immune Response during Pig Gestation with a Focus on Cytokines

Pigs have the highest percentage of embryonic death not associated with specific diseases of all livestock species, at 20-45%. During gestation processes, a series of complex alterations can arise, including embryonic migration and elongation, maternal immunological recognition of pregnancy, and embryonic competition for implantation sites and subsequent nutrition requirements and development. Immune cells and cytokines act as mediators between other molecules in highly complex interactions between various cell types. However, other non-immune cells, such as trophoblast cells, are important in immune pregnancy regulation. Numerous studies have shed light on the crucial roles of several cytokines that regulate the inflammatory processes that characterize the interface between the fetus and the mother throughout normal porcine gestation, but most of these reports are limited to the implantational and peri-implantational periods. Increase in some proinflammatory cytokines have been found in other gestational periods, such as placental remodeling. Porcine immune changes during delivery have not been studied as deeply as in other species. This review details some of the immune system cells actively involved in the fetomaternal interface during porcine gestation, as well as the principal cells, cytokines, and molecules, such as antibodies, that play crucial roles in sow pregnancy, both in early and mid-to-late gestation.

The role of interleukin-1 in perinatal inflammation and its impact on transitional circulation

Preterm birth is defined as delivery at <37 weeks of gestational age (GA) and exposes 15 million infants worldwide to serious early life diseases. Lowering the age of viability to 22 weeks GA entailed provision of intensive care to a greater number of extremely premature infants. Moreover, improved survival, especially at extremes of prematurity, comes with a rising incidence of early life diseases with short- and long-term sequelae. The transition from fetal to neonatal circulation is a substantial and complex physiologic adaptation, which normally happens rapidly and in an orderly sequence. Maternal chorioamnionitis or fetal growth restriction (FGR) are two common causes of preterm birth that are associated with impaired circulatory transition. Among many cytokines contributing to the pathogenesis of chorioamnionitis-related perinatal inflammatory diseases, the potent pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-1 has been shown to play a central role. The effects of utero-placental insufficiency-related FGR and in-utero hypoxia may also be mediated, in part, via the inflammatory cascade. In preclinical studies, blocking such inflammation, early and effectively, holds great promise for improving the transition of circulation. In this mini-review, we outline the mechanistic pathways leading to abnormalities in transitional circulation in chorioamnionitis and FGR. In addition, we explore the therapeutic potential of targeting IL-1 and its influence on perinatal transition in the context of chorioamnionitis and FGR.

Understanding the effect of obesity on papillary thyroid cancer: is there a need for tailored diagnostic and therapeutic management?

INTRODUCTION

Several studies have focused on the relationship between obesity and differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), particularly papillary histotype (PTC). However, the association of obesity with both incidence and aggressiveness of PTC is still incompletely understood.

AREAS COVERED

We reviewed the mechanisms underlying the cross talk between obesity and thyroid carcinomas and described the most recent evidence evaluating the effect of obesity on the development of PTC, as well as the impact of excessive body weight on the clinicopathologic features and outcome of this type of cancer.

EXPERT OPINION

Available evidence suggests that excessive body weight is linked with a higher risk of getting PTC, while its impact on the aggressiveness of the disease, if present, is still not clear. Therefore, while attention should be paid to discover thyroid cancer in patients with obesity earlier, once diagnosed it should be managed following a conventional workup as in normal weight patients, based on the clinical presentation of the disease and including active surveillance if appropriate, as recommended by referral guidelines.

Alterations in the relative abundance of the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors (VPAC1 and VPAC2) and functions in uterine contractility during inflammation

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor (VPAC1, VPAC2) abundances in the myometrium and functions in the regulation of inflamed uterine contractility in pigs were studied. In the CON group with gilts, only laparotomy was performed. The gilts of SAL- and E. coli-treated groups were administered saline or E. coli into the uterine horns, respectively. The E. coli-induced endometritis resulted in a lesser myometrial relative abundance of VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor mRNA transcripts and larger abundance of protein for these receptors. In the myometrium, treatment with VIP resulted in a lesser contractility amplitude than in the tissues of the CON- and SAL- and E. coli-treated groups and in frequency in the CON- and E.coli-treated group compared to the period before VIP treatment. Compared to when there was VIP treatment alone, treatment with VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor antagonists resulted in a lesser inhibitory effect of VIP on contractility amplitude in the myometrium of the CON and SAL-treated groups and there was complete abolishment of the inhibitory VIP effect on frequency of myometrial contractility of the CON group. In the myometrium of E. coli-treated group, treatment with VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor antagonists resulted in a reversal of the inhibitory effect of VIP on contractility amplitude, while treatment with VPAC2 receptor antagonist resulted in elimination of contractility and a lesser endometrium/myometrium inhibitory effect of VIP on frequency of these contractions. Results indicate VIP functions to decrease myometrial contractility of the inflamed pig uterus by having functions at VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors.

Escherichia Coli -induced Inflammation Changes the Expression of Acetylcholine Receptors (M2R, M3R, and α-7 nAChR) in the Pig Uterus

Introduction

The influence of inflammation on the patterns of muscarinic 2 and 3 receptor subtypes (M2R and M3R), and α-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α-7 nAChR) expression in the porcine uterus was investigated.

Material and Methods

On day three of the oestrous cycle of gilts aged 7-8 months with body weight 90-120 kg, either an E. coli suspension (E. coli group, n = 5) or saline (Sal group, n = 5) was administered into the uterine horns via laparotomy or only laparotomy was performed on control swine (Ctrl group, n = 5). After eight days, and the onset of severe acute endometritis in the E. coli group, the uterine mRNA and protein receptor expression levels were determined using real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively, with receptor localisation by immunofluorescence.

Results

The studied receptors were in the luminal epithelium, glands, blood vessels, and myometrial muscle cells of all gilts. The M2R mRNA level was lower in the inflamed endometrium compared to the Ctrl and Sal groups. Also in this tissue, the expression of M3R mRNA and protein was lower than in the Ctrl and Sal groups. The M3R protein level in the bacterially challenged myometrium was found to be increased compared to unadministered groups. In the endometrium of the E. coli group, the α-7 nAChR protein level was lower than in the Sal group, and in the myometrium it was reduced in relation to both the other groups. P values were ≤ 0.05 in all cases.

Conclusion

Inflammation causes alterations in the M2R, M3R, and α-7 nAChR expression in the pig uterus, suggesting their significance in the course and repercussions of uterine inflammation.

Association between adipokines and thyroid carcinoma: a meta-analysis of case-control studies

Background

The incidence of thyroid carcinoma is increasing all over the world. Some studies have suggested that the change of adipokines expression can induce thyroid carcinoma. However, other studies have come to the opposite conclusion. Therefore, we studied the relationship between adipokines and thyroid carcinoma.

Methods

Databases—PubMed, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and clinical trial registries were searched. A meta-analysis was then performed through a fixed or random-effects model to calculate I values for heterogeneity analysis.

Results

Twenty-nine articles were finally included for analysis. The level of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) [standardized mean difference (SMD) =1.31, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.35 to 2.28, I² = 98%, P = 0.008] and the ratio of TNF-α immunoreactivity in tissues [odds ratios (OR) =6.36, 95% CI: 1.92 to 21.05, I² = 66%, P = 0.002] in thyroid carcinoma are significantly higher than those in control. The serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with thyroid carcinoma is higher than that in control (SMD = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.40 to 1.67, I² = 96%, P = 0.001). There is no significant difference of the ratio of IL-6 immunoreactivity in tissues between carcinoma and control (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.62 to 2.43, I² = 86%, P = 0.55). The ratio of leptin immunoreactivity in tissues is significantly associated with the risk of thyroid carcinoma (OR = 12.21, 95% CI: 3.36 to 44.40, I² = 85%, P < 0.00001). However, after analyzing the expression level of serum adiponectin in three studies, no significant difference is found between thyroid carcinoma and the control (P = 0.81).

Conclusions

Adipokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and leptin) show a strong relationship between elevated concentrations (in serum and/or tissue) and thyroid carcinoma. However, the association between adiponectin and thyroid carcinoma needs further research.

Inflammation changes the expression of neuropeptide Y receptors in the pig myometrium and their role in the uterine contractility

In the experiment the influence of inflammation on neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor subtype 1 (Y1Rs) and 2 (Y2Rs) expression pattern in the gilt myometrium and NPY effect alone or with Y1Rs and Y2Rs antagonists on contractility of an inflamed uterus were recognized. On Day 3 of the estrous cycle, either E.coli suspension (E.coli group) or saline (SAL group) were administered into uterine horns. In the control gilts (CON group), only laparotomy was carried out. Eight days later, E.coli treatment evoked severe acute endometritis, significantly reduced Y1Rs mRNA and protein expression and increased Y2Rs protein expression in myometrium in relation to the CON and SAL groups. Compared to period before NPY application, NPY (10⁻⁷ M) significantly reduced amplitude in myometrium and endometrium/myometrium and frequency in myometrium of the CON and SAL groups and amplitude in endometrium/myometrium and frequency in strips of the E.coli group. In this group, after using NPY (10⁻⁷ M), the amplitude rose significantly in both kinds of strips, while frequency fell in endometrium/myometrium in relation to the SAL group. In the CON and SAL groups, NPY (10⁻⁷ M) with Y1Rs antagonist significantly increased the amplitude in endometrium/myometrium, while with Y2Rs antagonist caused a rise in myometrium. In the E.coli group after using Y1Rs or Y2Rs antagonist and NPY (10⁻⁷ M) amplitude did not significantly change in endometrium/myometrium, and this parameter was significantly lower after using the NPY and Y1Rs antagonist than in other groups. Y1Rs antagonist and NPY (10⁻⁸, 10⁻⁷ M) significantly increased frequency in endometrium/myometrium of the CON and SAL groups. In the E.coli group, Y1Rs or Y2Rs antagonists and NPY (10⁻⁷ M) significantly increased frequency in myometrium and it was significantly higher than in the CON group. Inflammation changes Y1Rs and Y2Rs expression in myometrium of the inflamed pig uterus and NPY reduces this organ contractility by Y1Rs and Y2Rs.

Expression of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors in the pig uterus during inflammation

Under physiological conditions, noradrenaline (NA) and adrenergic receptors (ARs) are implicated in the function of the uterus. The role of NA and the expression of ARs in the inflamed uterus is not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of inflammation on the levels of α1 (A, B, D)-, α2 (A, B, C)- and β (1, 2, 3)-ARs mRNA and protein expression and the localization of these receptors in the porcine uterus. On Day 3 of the estrous cycle (Day 0 of the study), 50 ml of either saline (group SAL) or E. coli suspension (10⁹ colony-forming units/ml, group E. coli) were injected into each uterine horn. In the control pigs (group CON), only laparotomy was performed. Eight days later, α1D-ARs mRNA (P < 0.001) and protein (P < 0.05) levels and α2A-ARs protein level (P < 0.05) were increased in the inflamed endometrium, while the α2C-ARs protein level (P < 0.001) was lowered, as compared to the SAL and CON groups. In the inflamed endometrium, β2-ARs mRNA (P < 0.01) and protein (CON: P < 0.01, SAL: P < 0.001) expression was lower than in the other two groups, and β1-ARs mRNA (P < 0.001) and protein (P < 0.01) expression was higher compared to the SAL group. After bacterial treatment, α2A- (P < 0.001) and α2B (P < 0.05) -ARs protein levels and β2-ARs mRNA (CON: P < 0.01, SAL: P < 0.05) and protein (CON: P < 0.01, SAL: P < 0.05) expression in myometrium were found to be increased compared to both groups. In turn, in myometrium following E. coli infusion, the α2C-ARs protein level was lower (P < 0.01) than in the CON group. All studied receptors were present in the luminal and glandular epithelium, blood vessels and myometrial muscular cells of the gilt uteri in the E. coli, SAL and CON groups. The data show that inflammation changes the ARs expression in porcine uterus, suggesting their importance in the course/consequences of uterine inflammation. Those affected ARs may constitute a therapeutic target in an inflamed uterus.

Molecular species of prostaglandins involved in modulating luteinising hormone pulses of female rats under infectious stress conditions

Mammalian reproductive function is controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which is suppressed under infectious stress conditions. By analysing the pulsatility of luteinising hormone (LH), we have previously demonstrated that prostaglandins (PGs) in the central nervous system mediate infectious stress to suppress the activity of the HPG axis. The present study aimed to characterise the types of PGs responsible for suppression of the HPG axis. We focused on three major types of PGs: PGE₂ , PGD₂ and PGF_2α . We used female rats overiectomised bilaterally 1 week before the experiments. Lipopolysaccharide (100 μg kg^-1 ) suppressed LH pulses at the same time as enhancing the concentration of all three PGs in the cerebrospinal fluid, which was restored by indomethacin (10 mg kg^-1 ). Subsequently, we observed LH pulsatility after a single injection of each PG and after co-injection of PGE₂ with PGF_2α into the third cerebral ventricle. A single injection of PGE₂ dose-dependently induced a transient increase in mean LH concentration and LH pulse amplitude, and PGD₂ significantly increased the amplitude of LH pulses, wereas PGF_2α did not affect LH pulsatility. On the other hand, co-injection of PGE₂ and PGF_2α induced a significant suppression of both the frequency and amplitude of LH pulses. These results suggest that PGE₂ and PGF_2α can represent two of the mediators that suppress the HPG axis in situations of infectious stress. Moreover, the results imply that there are two contradictory effects of PGE₂ on LH pulsatility: (i) enhancive when working alone and (ii) suppressive when working together with PGF_2α .

Research of Herb-Partitioned Moxibustion for Primary Dysmenorrhea Patients Based on the LC-MS Metabonomics

Objective. To explore the efficacy and mechanism of primary dysmenorrhea patients were treated with herb-partitioned moxibustion through metabonomics. Methods. 20 patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomized into two groups, separately treated with herb-partitioned moxibustion at CV8 (shenque) and acupuncture at SP6 (sanyinjiao). After three menstrual cycles' treatment, the intensity of menstrual pain using VAS and the changes of metabolites of plasma using LC-MS were observed. Results. The VAS of two groups decreased with different descending range. Herb-partitioned moxibustion upregulated 20α-dihydroprogesterone, pregnenolone, prostaglandin E₂ and γ-aminobutyric acid and downregulated the content of estrone and prostaglandin H₂, while acupuncture upregulated pregnenolone and 20α-dihydroprogesterone and downregulated 2-methoxyestradiol-3-methylether, 15-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid and 6-keto-prostaglandin. Discussion. It was effective in relieving the abdominal pain by these two therapies. Herb-partitioned moxibustion is superior to acupuncture for primary dysmenorrhea, which could be related to regulating the endocrine hormone.

Synthesis of leukotrienes in porcine uteri with endometritis induced by infection with Escherichia coli

Leukotrienes (LTs) are lipid mediators that play a significant role in the inflammatory process. Their production in inflamed uteri is not fully understood. The present experiment aimed to determine LTB4 and LTC4 amounts, 5-lipooxygenase (5-LO), LTA4 hydrolase (LTAH) and LTC4 synthase (LTCS) mRNA levels and protein expression in inflamed porcine uteri. On Day 3 of the oestrous cycle (Day 0 of the study), either Escherichia coli suspension or saline were infused into uterine horns. Collection of uterine tissues and washings took place eight or sixteen days later. In gilts suffering from endometritis increased LTB4 and LTC4 levels in the endometrium and washings and 5-LO mRNA levels in the myometrium on Days 8 and 16, 5-LO protein levels in the endometrium and myometrium on Day 8, LTAH mRNA and protein levels in the endometrium and myometrium on Days 8 and 16, respectively. Although LTCS mRNA and protein expression in the myometrium and LTCS protein expression in the endometrium were enhanced on Day 16 after Escherichia coli inoculation, LTCS mRNA levels decreased on Day 8 in both tissues. Our study shows the upregulation of LT production in inflamed porcine uteri, which suggests the importance of these factors to the process of uterine inflammation.

Pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators change leukotriene B4 and leukotriene C4 synthesis and secretion in an inflamed porcine endometrium

We studied the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α] and interleukin [IL]-1β), and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) on leukotriene (LT) A4 hydrolase and LTC4 synthase (LTCS) protein expression in, and LTB4 and LTC4 secretion from, an inflamed porcine endometrium. On day 3 of the estrous cycle (day 0 of the study), 50 mL of either saline or Escherichia coli suspension (10(9) CFU/mL) was injected into each uterine horn of gilts (n = 12 per group). Endometrial explants, obtained 8 and 16 days later, were incubated for 24 h with LPS (10 or 100 ng/mL of medium), TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-10 (each cytokine: 1 or 10 ng/mL of medium). Although acute endometritis developed in all bacteria-inoculated gilts, a severe form of acute endometritis was diagnosed more often on day 8 of the study than on day 16. The amount of the LTA4 hydrolase (LTAH) protein in the inflamed endometrium on day 8 was greater after applying the lower dose of TNF-α (P < 0.001) and both doses of IL-1β (P < 0.001) and IL-4 (1 ng, P < 0.01 and 10 ng, P < 0.001) than in the saline-treated uteri. A similar situation was observed in the case of the inflamed tissue on day 16 in response to LPS (100 ng, P < 0.01), TNF-α (10 ng, P < 0.05), and IL-4 (1 ng, P < 0.001). The content of LTC4 synthase in the inflamed endometrium on day 8 was reduced by LPS (100 ng, P < 0.05), IL-1β (10 ng, P < 0.05), IL-4 (1 and 10 ng, P < 0.05), and IL-10 (1 ng, P < 0.01) but increased after the application of LPS (100 ng, P < 0.05) and TNF-α (1 and 10 ng, P < 0.001), IL-1β, and IL-4 (1 ng, P < 0.05 and 10 ng, P < 0.001) on day 16. On day 8, endometrial secretion of LTB4 from the saline-injected and E coli-injected organs was similar in response to all of the used mediators. On the other hand, the contents of LTB4 in the medium decreased after incubating the inflamed tissues from day 16 with TNF-α (1 ng, P < 0.05 and 10 ng, P < 0.01), IL-1β (1 ng, P < 0.01), and IL-10 (10 ng, P < 0.05) compared with the saline-treated ones. Secretion of LTC4 from the inflamed uteri on day 8 was elevated by the lower doses of TNF-α (P < 0.01) and IL-10 (P < 0.05), whereas on day 16, such an effect occurred in response to the higher doses of IL-4 (P < 0.01) and IL-10 (P < 0.05). The obtained results show that pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators participate in the synthesis/secretion of LTs from an inflamed porcine endometrium. Our data suggest that inflammatory mediators may indirectly affect the processes regulated by LTs by influencing LT production.

Ex vivo effect of gold nanoparticles on porcine synovial membrane

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have great potential as carriers for local drug delivery and as a primary therapeutic for treatment of inflammation. Here we report on the AuNP-synovium interaction in an ex vivo model of intra-articular application for treatment of joint inflammation. Sheets of porcine femoropatellar synovium were obtained post mortem and each side of the tissue samples was maintained in a separate fluid environment. Permeability to AuNPs of different sizes (5-52 nm) and biomarker levels of inflammation were determined to characterize the ex vivo particle interaction with the synovium. Lipopolysaccharide or recombinant human interleukin-1β were added to fluid environments to assess the ex vivo effect of pro-inflammatory factors on permeability and biomarker levels. The synovium showed size selective permeability with only 5 nm AuNPs effectively permeating the entire tissues' width. This process was further governed by particle stability in the fluid environment. AuNPs reduced matrix metalloproteinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity and hyaluronic acid concentrations but had no effect on prostaglandin E2 levels. Exposure to pro-inflammatory factors did not significantly affect AuNP permeation or biomarker levels in this model. Results with ex vivo tissue modeling of porcine synovium support an anti-inflammatory effect of AuNPs warranting further investigation.

Effect of the denervation of porcine ovaries on dexamethasone-induced cyst formation

Previously, we have shown that the activity of noradrenergic nerve fibres increased and the steroid content changed in porcine ovaries with dexamethasone-(DXM-) induced polycystic status. To better understand the role of the ovarian nerves in the formation of cystic status, the morphology and steroidogenic activity of the ovaries of DXM-treated gilts after denervation of the gonads were investigated in this study. Ovarian denervation was performed on day 3 of the first studied oestrous cycle and then, on days 7-21 of the cycle, DXM was administered. Following neurectomy and DXM treatment, cysts, medium-sized follicles and corpora lutea were not present, while the number of small-sized follicles increased. Denervation and DXM application led to a reduction in the number of dopamine-β-hydroxylase- and/or neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive nerve fibres. The concentrations of progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and oestradiol-17β in the follicular fluid and/or in the wall of small-sized follicles of the experimental gilts were lower than in the controls. A similar result was demonstrated for P450scc, 3β-HSD and P450arom protein contents in the small follicles. Our data showed that DXM was not able to stimulate the formation of cysts in denervated porcine ovaries, indicating that the ovarian peripheral nerves might participate in the aetiopathogenesis of polycystic status.

Synthesis of prostacyclin and its effect on the contractile activity of the inflamed porcine uterus

The goal of the study was to estimate the content of prostacyclin (PGI(2)), the levels of PGI synthase (PTGIS) and receptor (PTGIR) protein expression, and the cellular localization of these factors in the inflammatory-changed porcine uterus. The effect of PGI(2) on the contractility of the inflamed uteri was also determined. On Day 3 of the estrous cycle (Day 0 of the study), 50 mL of either saline or Escherichia coli suspension (10(9) colony-forming units/mL) were injected into each uterine horn. Acute endometritis developed in all bacteria-inoculated gilts, however on Day 8 of the study a severe form of acute endometritis was noted more often than on Day 16. Bacteria injections increased the contents of 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α) in endometrium, myometrium, washings, and the level of PTGIS in endometrium on Days 8 and 16, and the content of PTGIR in endometrium on Day 16. In the inflamed uteri on both study days, stronger immunoreactivity for PTGIS was observed in part of the luminal and glandular epithelial cells and in a portion of the endometrial arteries, and for PTGIR in part of the luminal epithelium and endothelial cells in a portion of the endometrial arteries. On Day 8, PGI(2) decreased contraction intensity in endometrium/myometrium and myometrium of the saline-treated uteri and increased the contraction intensity in both types of strips from the inflamed organs. Our study reveals that inflammation of the porcine uterus upregulates PGI(2) synthesis and that PGI(2) increases contractility, which suggests that PGI(2) might be essential for the course of uterine inflammation.

Expression of nerve growth factor and its receptors, TrkA and p75, in porcine ovaries

The cellular localization of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptors (TrkA, p75) was investigated during the estrous cycle in gilts. Also, the levels of expression of these factors in walls of tertiary follicles and corpora lutea (CLs) were determined using Western blot. The ovaries from days 3, 7, 16 and 20 of the cycle revealed the presence of NGF and its receptors in oocytes of secondary and tertiary follicles, follicular cells of primary and secondary follicles, thecal and granulosa cells of tertiary follicles and steroidogenic cells of CLs. In wall cells of primary follicles, NGF, TrkA and p75 staining was strongest on day 16, while in secondary follicles, only p75 was more intensely stained on day 16 and 20. In walls of small (to 3 mm in diameter) and medium (4-6 mm in diameter) follicles, NGF staining was lower on day 16, and the p75 reaction was strongest on day 20. On day 20, NGF staining in large follicles (7-10 mm in diameter) was higher than in smaller follicles. The levels of NGF and p75 in small and medium follicles were highest on day 20. The contents of NGF and TrkA in large follicles on day 20 were higher than in smaller follicles. NGF and TrkA contents in CLs were highest on day 7. Our study demonstrates that NGF, TrkA and p75 are expressed in the ovary during the estrous cycle in gilts. These results suggest that NGF and its receptors may be important for ovarian function in cycling gilts.

The Influence of Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 and Tumour Necrosis Factor-α on Prostaglandin Secretion from Porcine Myometrium during the First Third of Pregnancy

The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on prostaglandin (PG)F2α and PGE2 secretion as well as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression in myometrium collected on days 25, 30 and 40 of pregnancy in pigs. Myometrial slices were incubated for 16 h with IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α (1 or 10 ng/ml of medium) or two combinations of the three cytokines (1 or 10 ng/ml of each cytokine per combination). We demonstrated the stimulatory effect of IL-1β and IL-6 on PGF2α and PGE2 secretion from myometrium collected on all examined days of pregnancy, excepting of influence of IL-6 on release of PGF2α by tissue from day 30. In turn, TNF-α was able to stimulate only PGE2 secretion by myometrium of 40-day-pregnant gilts. The three cytokines applied in combination augmented release of PGE2 from myometrium collected on days 30 and 40 of pregnancy. Stimulation of PGE2 secretion by cytokines used individually was more frequent than that of PGF2α. Moreover, an enhancement in PGF2α and/or PGE2 release was accompanied by an increase of COX-2 protein expression. Our study shows the ability of cytokines to stimulate PGF2α and PGE2 release by porcine myometrium from the first third of pregnancy. Obtained data suggest that locally PGs produced in myometrium influencing the uterine contraction activity may be important for the maintenance of myometrial quiescence during pregnancy and confirm also that the complex cytokine network is an important regulatory mechanism of PGs production during pregnancy.

IL-1β, IL-6 promoter, TNF-α promoter and IL-1RA gene polymorphisms and the risk of preterm delivery due to preterm premature rupture of membranes in a population of Polish women

INTRODUCTION

Our previous study revealed that anti-inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms increase the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery (PD) in a population of Polish women. Different genetic background of PD due to preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) than PD without pPROM has been suggested. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the maternal carriage of polymorphic alleles of the following genes: interleukin 1β(IL-1β [+3953C>T]), interleukin 6 promoter (IL-6 [-174G>C]), tumour necrosis factor promoter (TNF-α [-308G>A]) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) and the risk of PD caused exclusively by pPROM in a population of Polish women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A case-control study. 95 Caucasian women were examined including 32 cases and 63 controls. Case subjects experienced a delivery at less than 36 weeks and 6 days of gestation due exclusively to pPROM while control subjects gave birth at term. Polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP).

RESULTS

NO STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLYMORPHISMS OF EXAMINED GENES AND RISK OF PD DUE TO PPROM IN A POPULATION OF POLISH WOMEN WAS FOUND: OR = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.34-2.01) for IL-1β, OR = 0.77 (95% CI: 0.27-2.13) for IL-6, OR = 0.72 (95% CI: 0.26-1.90) for TNF-α and OR = 1.74 (95% CI: 0.66-4.64) for IL-1RN.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal carriage of polymorphic alleles of IL-1β, IL-6 promoter, TNF-α promoter and IL-1RA seems to have no impact on the risk of PD due to pPROM in the population of Polish women.The genetic contribution and pathomechanism of PD related to pPROM seems to differ from those of spontaneous PD without pPROM.

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist expression in the equine endometrium during the peri-implantation period

To identify factors involved in the establishment of pregnancy in the mare, endometrium was collected from day 13 (day 0=day of ovulation) cyclic and day 13, 19, and 25 pregnant animals. From initial cDNA subtraction studies, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) mRNA was found as a candidate molecule expressed uniquely in the pregnant endometrium. Expression of IL-1RN mRNA was markedly increased in day 19 and 25 gravid endometrium. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that IL-1RN mRNA was localized to the glandular epithelium. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) protein was found in the extracts of day 25 gravid endometrium and was immunochemically localized to the glandular epithelium/luminal cavity of the pregnant uterus. High concentrations of estradiol-17beta (E(2)) were detected in day 25 conceptuses. Concentrations of E(2) were higher in the gravid endometrial portion than in other endometrial regions. On the other hand, progesterone concentrations did not differ among endometrial samples analyzed. Furthermore, the expression of IL-1RN mRNA was up-regulated in endometrium culture samples treated with 10 ng/mL E(2) and 10 ng/mL progesterone. In the analysis of related gene expression, increased amounts of IL-1alpha and IL-6 mRNA were also found in the day 25 gravid endometrium; however, these expressions in endometrial culture samples were not up-regulated by the steroid treatment. These results indicate that expression of IL-1RN in the endometrium is likely regulated by E(2) and progesterone and suggest that IL-1RN regulates the degree of IL-1 signal transduction and thereby plays an important role in the establishment of equine pregnancy.