Evidence for a Role of Phosphodiesterase 4 in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Prostaglandin E2 Production and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Activity in Human Amniochorionic Membranes

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The aim of this study was to explore the anti-inflammatory properties of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors in vivo and their potential ability to prevent inflammation-induced preterm delivery. Indeed, intrauterine inflammation is the major etiology of very preterm delivery, the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Intrauterine injection of Escherichia coli LPS in 15-day-pregnant mice induced an increase of PDE4 activity and PDE4B expression at the maternofetal interface, a rise of amniotic fluid levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 and provoked massive preterm delivery and fetal demise. Selective PDE4 inhibition by rolipram prevented the rise in the proinflammatory cytokines. Following the nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NFκB, as a marker of cellular activation after the inflammatory challenge, showed a time-dependent sequential activation of the gestational tissues, from the uterine mesometrial to the fetal compartment, particularly in the glycogen-trophoblastic cells of the placenta. This activation was disrupted by PDE4 inhibition, and inflammation-induced preterm delivery and fetal demise were prevented. PDE4 selective inhibitors may thus represent a novel effective treatment to delay inflammation-induced preterm delivery and to prevent adverse outcomes in infants.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

PDE4 Inhibition Prevents Preterm Delivery Induced by an Intrauterine Inflammation

Schmitz

Souil

Hervé

et al. 2007

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“…Our previous works showed that PDE4 inhibition is not only able to abolish metalloprotease activation and prostaglandin synthesis in fetal membranes but is also able to block spontaneous contractions of myometrial strips (21,40). Given its dual myorelaxant and anti-inflammatory properties (41), selective PDE4 inhibition may represent a novel approach in the management of inflammation-induced preterm delivery.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Persistent intrauterine inflammation was concomitant with nuclear localization of NF-B in a specific set of murine cells at the vicinity of maternal cells and PDE4 inhibition prevented the NF-B nuclear translocation. Furthermore, we evidenced in a previous study that PDE4 was the main PDE family expressed in human fetal membranes, and PDE4 activity was increased by LPS (21). PDE4 inhibitors blocked the release of proinflammatory cytokines, prostaglandins, and metalloproteases induced by LPS in these membranes.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The PDE4 Inhibitor Rolipram Prevents NF-κB Binding Activity and Proinflammatory Cytokine Release in Human Chorionic Cells

Hervé

Schmitz

Évain-Brion

et al. 2008

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Spontaneous preterm delivery is linked to intrauterine inflammation. Fetal membranes are involved in the inflammatory process as an important source of mediators, and the chorion leave produces high levels of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α when stimulated by LPS. The transcription factor NF-κB is the main regulator of this inflammatory process and controls the production of cytokines by the chorion leave. Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors are recognized for their anti-inflammatory and myorelaxant effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether PDE4 inhibition affects the LPS signaling in human cultured chorionic cells. We showed that these cells express TLR4, the main LPS receptor, and exhibit a predominant PDE4 activity. Upon LPS challenge, PDE4 activity increases concomitantly to the induction of the specific isoform PDE4B2 and chorionic cells secrete TNF-α. LPS induces the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit and the activation of three different NF-κB complexes in chorionic cells. The presence of the PDE4 inhibitor rolipram reduces the TNF-α production and the activation of the three NF-κB complexes. These data indicate that the PDE4 family interacts with the LPS signaling pathway during the inflammatory response of chorionic cells. PDE4 selective inhibitors may thus represent a new therapeutic approach in the management of inflammation-induced preterm delivery.

“…The proteolytic activity of pro-MMP-9 secreted into the culture medium was assessed by gelatin zymography on 10% SDS gel incorporating 1 mg/ ml gelatin as previously described (25). Briefly, 3 mg protein was loaded and subjected to electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions.…”

Section: Zymographymentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional Screening of TLRs in Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells

Gillaux

Méhats

Vaiman

et al. 2011

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Intrauterine infection is a major cause of spontaneous preterm birth. Amniotic epithelial cells represent the first line of defense against intra-amniotic bacteria. We hypothesize that this epithelial cell barrier is able to recognize and respond to pathogens through the function of TLRs, which are crucial regulators of the innate immune system. In this study, we describe the expression of transcripts for TLR1–TLR10 in human amniotic epithelial cells. We show that amniotic epithelial cells express functional TLR5, TLR6/2, and TLR4. Activation by TLR5 and TLR6/2 agonists produces IL-6 and IL-8, concomitantly with the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway, matrix metalloproteinase-9 induction, and PTGS2 expression. In contrast, TLR4 activation reduced amniotic epithelial cell viability and induced cell apoptosis evidenced by an elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleavage of caspase-3. These data suggest specific TLR-mediated functions in human amniotic epithelial cells for initiating different immune responses, which ultimately may lead to preterm birth.