Cellular immune responses in amniotic fluid of women with a sonographic short cervix
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Date
2020
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Abstract
Objectives: A sonographic short cervix is one of the strongest predictors of preterm delivery. However, the cellular immune composition of amniotic fluid in women with a short cervix has not yet been described. Herein, we determined cellular and soluble immune responses in amniotic fluid from pregnant women with a mid-trimester asymptomatic short cervix.
Methods: Amniotic fluid samples (n=77) were collected from asymptomatic women with a cervical length between 15 and 25 mm (n=36, short cervix) or <15 mm (n=41, severely short cervix) diagnosed by ultrasound. Flow cytometry and multiplex measurement of cytokines/chemokines were performed.
Results: (1) The cellular immune composition of amniotic fluid did not differ between women with a severely short cervix (<= 15 mm) and those with a short cervix 15-25 mm; (2) amniotic fluid concentrations of multiple cytokines/chemokines were higher in women with a severely short cervix (<= 15 mm) than in those with a short cervix 15-25 mm; (3) the cellular immune composition of amniotic fluid did not differ between women with a severely short cervix (<= 15 mm) who ultimately underwent preterm delivery and those who delivered at term; and (4) amniotic fluid concentrations of IL-2, but not other immune mediators, were increased in women with a severely short cervix (<= 15 mm) who ultimately delivered preterm compared to those who delivered at term.
Conclusions: Women with a severely short cervix (<= 15 mm) have increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators in the amniotic cavity; yet, these do not translate to changes in the cellular immune response.
Methods: Amniotic fluid samples (n=77) were collected from asymptomatic women with a cervical length between 15 and 25 mm (n=36, short cervix) or <15 mm (n=41, severely short cervix) diagnosed by ultrasound. Flow cytometry and multiplex measurement of cytokines/chemokines were performed.
Results: (1) The cellular immune composition of amniotic fluid did not differ between women with a severely short cervix (<= 15 mm) and those with a short cervix 15-25 mm; (2) amniotic fluid concentrations of multiple cytokines/chemokines were higher in women with a severely short cervix (<= 15 mm) than in those with a short cervix 15-25 mm; (3) the cellular immune composition of amniotic fluid did not differ between women with a severely short cervix (<= 15 mm) who ultimately underwent preterm delivery and those who delivered at term; and (4) amniotic fluid concentrations of IL-2, but not other immune mediators, were increased in women with a severely short cervix (<= 15 mm) who ultimately delivered preterm compared to those who delivered at term.
Conclusions: Women with a severely short cervix (<= 15 mm) have increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators in the amniotic cavity; yet, these do not translate to changes in the cellular immune response.
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Keywords
amniotic fluid, cytoldne, chemokine, immune cell, intra-amniotic inflammation, preterm