IFN-γ and IL-10: seric and placental profile during pig gestation Seric and placental cytokines in pig gestation

Abstract

Concentration of interferon-gamma and interleukin-10 in maternal serum and in maternal and fetal porcine placental extracts from different gestation periods was determined. Crossbred pigs' placental samples of 17, 30, 60, 70, and 114 days gestation and non-pregnant uteri were used. Interferon-gamma concentration was increased at the placental interface at 17 days, in maternal and fetal placenta, and decreased significantly in the remaining gestation periods. Interferon-gamma showed a peak in serum at 60 days. Regarding interleukin-10, placental tissue concentrations were unaltered, there were no significant differences with non-gestating uteri samples. In serum interleukin-10 increased at 17, 60, and 114 days gestation. At 17 days there are uterus structural and molecular changes that allow the embryos implantation and placenta development. The presence of interferon-gamma found at this moment in the interface would favor that placental growth. Moreover, its significant increase in serum at 60 days, would generate a proinflammatory cytokine pattern that facility the placental remodeling characteristic of this moment of porcine gestation. On the other hand, a significant interleukin-10 increase in serum at 17, 60 and 114 days could indicate its immunoregulatory role at a systemic level during pig gestation.

Changes in Immune Response during Pig Gestation with a Focus on Cytokines

“…Consistent with the findings made by Makris et al [ 104 ], which revealed no correlation between placental IL-10 levels and serum levels in humans, our research group’s report similarly did not observe an association between these two concentrations in pigs [ 52 ]. This suggests that the placenta may not be the primary source of circulating IL-10 in pigs, in contrast to findings on the human placenta with high levels of this cytokine [ 97 ].…”

“…Specifically, numerous studies on mammals have described the role of other cytokines that may regulate the immune environment throughout porcine gestation [ 34 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. In our laboratory, we have investigated the expression of several cytokines during porcine placentation, including INFγ, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18, aiming to elucidate their roles at the fetal–maternal interface, their effects on immune cells, and how they modulate different stages of porcine placentation [ 50 , 51 , 52 ]. It is noteworthy that during the stages of extensive placental remodeling at 30 and 70 days of gestation (dg), high levels of proinflammatory cytokines were observed in placental tissue, including IL-4, suggesting that they might regulate an immune environment otherwise detrimental to the success of gestation.…”

“…It is noteworthy that during the stages of extensive placental remodeling at 30 and 70 days of gestation (dg), high levels of proinflammatory cytokines were observed in placental tissue, including IL-4, suggesting that they might regulate an immune environment otherwise detrimental to the success of gestation. Towards the end of gestation, the concentration of these cytokines in the placenta decreases significantly, while their levels increase in the serum, possibly preparing the body for labor and placental expulsion [ 51 , 52 ]. In Table 1 , we can see a description of the different cytokines in pigs, and in Table 2 we can see the cytokines in relation to different gestational periods and their principal events.…”

“…Elevated concentrations of circulating IL-10 have not been detected during porcine gestation. In one study, in both maternal and fetal porcine placenta tissue, the levels of this cytokine were nearly undetectable [ 52 ]. However, other authors found the expression of IL-10 and its receptor IL-10RA in the early-pregnancy conceptus and in the chorioallantoic membrane in pigs during middle–late gestation.…”

“…The difference between the two studies could be related to methodology differences. Han et al [ 15 ] used RT-PCR to determine mRNA and immunohistochemistry, while Velez et al [ 52 ] used ELISA. Previous to these contradictory results, IL-10 mRNA expression in pigs had only been found in term placenta [ 105 ] and in 30 dg placenta.…”