The Role of Cytokines in the Functional Activity of Phagocytes in Blood and Colostrum of Diabetic Mothers

Abstract

Immune response changes induced by diabetes are a risk factor for infections during pregnancy and may modify the development of the newborn's immune system. The present study analyzed colostrum and maternal and cord blood of diabetic women to determine (1) the levels of the cytokines IFN-γ and TGF-β and (2) phagocytic activity after incubation with cytokines. Methods. Colostrum and maternal and cord blood samples were classified into normoglycemic (N = 20) and diabetic (N = 19) groups. Cytokine levels, superoxide release, rate of phagocytosis, bactericidal activity, and intracellular Ca2+ release by phagocytes were analyzed in the samples. Irrespective of glycemic status, IFN-γ and TGF-β levels were not changed in colostrum and maternal and cord blood. In maternal blood and colostrum, superoxide release by cytokine-stimulated phagocytes was similar between the groups. Compared to spontaneous release, superoxide release was stimulated by IFN-γ and TGF-β in normoglycemic and diabetic groups. In the diabetic group, cord blood phagocytes incubated with IFN-γ exhibited higher phagocytic activity in response to EPEC, and maternal blood exhibited lower microbicidal activity. These data suggest that diabetes interferes in maternal immunological parameters and that IFN-γ and TGF-β modulate the functional activity of phagocytes in the colostrum, maternal blood, and cord blood of pregnant diabetic women.

The modulatory role of cytokines IL‐4 and IL‐17 in the functional activity of phagocytes in diabetic pregnant women

“…Given its originality, it is difficult to compare this study with others. In a previous investigation, our research group identified the modulatory role of IFN-c and TGF-b in phagocytes from the maternal blood, cord blood, and colostrum of pregnant women with DM2 (25). Although many questions remain unanswered, the results of this study reinforce the importance of a rigid control of glycemic levels during pregnancy in order to maintain them within the normal range.…”

The effect of IFN-γ and TGF-β in the functional activity of mononuclear cells in the presence of Entamoeba histolytica

“…Studies have related that this increase in microbicidal activity is crucial for the immune response of the host against intestinal amoebiasis [ 9 , 26 ]. The functional activity modulated by IFN-γ and TGF-β has also been reported for other infections [ 18 ].…”

“…Cytokine production may be associated with a number of processes such as alterations in intracellular Ca 2+ by phagocytes [ 18 ]. In the present study, TGF-β increased intracellular Ca 2+ release in MN cells.…”

“…To assess the effect of cytokines (IFN-γ or TGF-β) on superoxide anion release, leukophagocytosis, amoebicidal activity, intracellular calcium release and apoptosis, MN cells (2×10 6 cells/mL) were incubated with IFN-γ or TGF-β at concentration of 100 ng/mL (Sigma ST Louis, USA,) [ 18 ] for 1 h at 37 °C. The MN cells were then washed once with 199 medium at 4 °C and immediately used in the assays.…”

“…Cellular viability was evaluated using the acridine orange method [ 10 ]. Cells were pre-treated with cytokines as described previously [ 18 ] and resuspended in serum-free 199 medium and centrifuged. The supernatant was discarded, and the sediment was dyed with 200 μL acridine orange [Sigma, ST Louis, USA; 14.4 g/L] for 1 min.…”