Secretion of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha cytokines by villous chorion cultures (7-14 weeks) during normal pregnancy and in spontaneous abortions was studied. Secretion of IL-1alpha and IL-6 increased 4.5 and 7.3 times in miscarriages, while secretion of IL-1beta, IL-10, and TNF-alpha decreased. LPS stimulated the production of IL-1alpha and IL-6 in samples obtained during surgical abortion. LPS stimulated IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha secretion in miscarriages, while the level of IL-6 production decreased significantly. It is hypothesized that increased production of IL-1alpha and IL-6 and attenuation of the antiinflammatory effect of IL-10 play an important role in the pathogenesis of miscarriages at early stages of gestation. The results suggest that cytokine regulation of the fetus rejection is different at early and late stages of gestation.

Secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IFN-alpha, and IFN-gamma by the chorion tissue (8-12 weeks) was studied in normal gestation and spontaneous abortion. The production of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and IFN-alpha virtually did not change in spontaneous abortion, while IFN-gamma was not secreted in all experimental groups. The production of IL-6 increased more than 2-fold in patients with spontaneous abortion during the first trimester. These data confirm the involvement of this cytokine in the reproductive processes and in the pathogenesis of miscarriage.