Problem: Cytokines play a fundamental role at the feto-maternal interface. A dysregulation of the cytokine profile could be linked with fetal rejection. This study investigated differences in the expression of the Th1 cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) of normal and disturbed pregnancy.
Method of study: Analysis of IL-15 expression by immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR in placental tissue from normal pregnancies, spontaneous miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage (RM) was performed.
Results: Expression of IL-15 was upregulated on mRNA and protein level in the placenta of miscarriage patients, especially in patients with RM. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence double staining revealed extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT) as IL-15-expressing cells. Staining results were confirmed by real-time PCR (TaqMan).
Conclusion: Increased expression of IL-15 in the decidua of patients with RM may be linked to disturbed implantation and vascularization with consecutive placental and fetal rejection.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.