Abstract

Intrauterine infection is a major cause of immune imbalance at the maternal-fetal interface, which leads to spontaneous abortion, premature rupture of the fetal membranes, and preterm birth. Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) play a fundamental role in the maintenance of pregnancy. We hypothesize that bacteria influence the immunomodulatory effects of hAEC5 through stimulation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Here, we investigated how lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a bacterial component affects anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines production of hAECs. Human placentas were obtained from six healthy pregnant women and hAECs were isolated. The phenotypic characteristics of hAECs were determined by flow cytometry. The hAECs (4 x 10(5) cells/ml) were cultured in the presence or absence of LPS (5 mu g/ml). The viability of the cells was assessed and culture supernatants of hAECs were collected after 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation. The levels of transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-beta 1), interleukin-4 (IL-4), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-17 A (IL-17A), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were measured by ELISA. Our data showed that LPS treatment did not affect the viability of hAECs, while had a stimulatory effect on TGF-beta 1 production of hAECs (p < 0.001). A significant reduction in IL-4 production of LPS-stimulated hAEC5 was observed (p < 0.05). LPS enhanced the production of TNF-alpha and IL-17 A of hAEC5 (p < 0.05-0.0001). The IFN-gamma level was only detectable in two culture supernatants of hAEC5, and the level was unchanged after stimulation with LPS. Based on these findings, LPS may play a pivotal role in immune imbalance at the feto-maternal interface through affecting anti-inflammatory and pro inflammatory cytokines production of hAECs.