Anti‐inflammatory Effects of Interleukin‐4, Interleukin‐10, and Transforming Growth Factor‐β on Human Placental Cells In Vitro

Abstract

To determine the effects of anti-inflammatory cytokines on the production of inflammatory mediators by placental cells. Cells from term human placentas were isolated and cultured in vitro in the presence of anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. Their effects on the production of IL-8 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were investigated under basal conditions and after stimulation with IL-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Both IL-10 and IL-4 inhibited IL-1 beta- and TNF-alpha-induced PGE2 production but had no significant effects on the production of PGE2 under basal conditions. TGF-beta 1 was without effect in stimulated cells, whereas under basal conditions TGF-beta 1 stimulated PGE2 production. Similar trends were seen for IL-8 production, with the exceptions that TGF-beta 1 decreased the TNF-alpha-induced production and IL-4 decreased basal IL-8 production. The anti-inflammatory effects shown by IL-4, IL-10, and (to lesser extent) TGF-beta may play a role in ameliorating the potentially harmful effects of pro-inflammatory mediators in the feto-placental unit.