Abnormal first trimester serum interleukin 18 levels are associated with a poor outcome in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage

Wilson, R., Moor, J., Jenkins, C., Miller, H., Walker, J.J., McLean, M.A., Norman, J. and McInnes, I. B. (2004) Abnormal first trimester serum interleukin 18 levels are associated with a poor outcome in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 51(2), pp. 156-159. (doi: 10.1046/j.8755-8920.2003.00126.x) (PMID:14748843)

Abstract

PROBLEM:<br/> How the maternal immune system adapts to tolerate the fetus is not fully understood, but a successful pregnancy is associated with the production of Th2-type cytokines and miscarriage is associated with the production of Th1-type cytokines. <br/>METHOD OF STUDY:<br/>Levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-12 and IL-18 were measured in serum from 205 pregnant women of whom 115 pregnant women had a history of recurrent miscarriage.<br/> RESULTS:<br/> Compared with healthy pregnant women those who miscarried had increased serum levels of the Th1-associated cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-12 and IL-18.<br/> CONCLUSIONS:<br/> Increased levels of IL-18 appeared to be critical in early pregnancy and were able to discriminate between pregnancies that continued and those that end in miscarriage.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McInnes, Professor Iain and Jenkins, Mrs Carol and Norman, Professor Jane and Miller, Mrs Helen
• Authors: Wilson, R., Moor, J., Jenkins, C., Miller, H., Walker, J.J., McLean, M.A., Norman, J., and McInnes, I. B.
• Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology; R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: American Journal of Reproductive Immunology
• ISSN: 1046-7408