Patterns of Systemic and Cervicovaginal Fluid Inflammatory Cytokines throughout Pregnancy

Kristin B. Ashford; Niraj Chavan; Jeffrey L. Ebersole; Amanda T. Wiggins; Savita Sharma; Andrea McCubbin; Janine Barnett; John O'Brien

doi:10.1055/s-0037-1608677

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

Am J Perinatol 2018; 35(05): 455-462
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1608677

Original Article

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Patterns of Systemic and Cervicovaginal Fluid Inflammatory Cytokines throughout Pregnancy

Authors

Kristin B. Ashford

¹Perinatal Research and Wellness Center, University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Lexington, Kentucky
Niraj Chavan

²Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
Jeffrey L. Ebersole

³Center for Oral Health Research, University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, Lexington, Kentucky
Amanda T. Wiggins

¹Perinatal Research and Wellness Center, University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Lexington, Kentucky
Savita Sharma

¹Perinatal Research and Wellness Center, University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Lexington, Kentucky
Andrea McCubbin

¹Perinatal Research and Wellness Center, University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Lexington, Kentucky
Janine Barnett

¹Perinatal Research and Wellness Center, University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Lexington, Kentucky
John O'Brien

²Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky

Abstract

Objective This study describes the normal variations in serum and cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) cytokine levels throughout pregnancy.

Study Design This multicenter, prospective study examined trimester-specific maternal serum and CVF cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein [CRP]). A two-factor linear mixed modeling approach compared cytokine distribution, while pairwise comparisons evaluated differences over time.

Results Trimester-specific serum cytokine data were available for 288, 243, and 221 patients, whereas CVF cytokine data were available for 273, 229, and 198 patients. CVF had significantly higher concentrations of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (p < 0.001), irrespective of the trimester. At all time points, IL-10 and CRP concentrations were higher in serum than CVF (p < 0.001). Serum IL-10 increased significantly throughout pregnancy (p < 0.001).

Conclusion Differences in cytokine distribution across different biological fluids are evident throughout pregnancy. These findings provide a framework for examining patterns of changes in cytokines throughout pregnancy.

Keywords

cytokines - inflammatory markers - pregnancy - serum - cervicovaginal fluid

Full Text

References

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