Erhöhte Chemokin und Zytokinproduktion in der Schwangerschaft

Objective: Following implantation, endometrial stroma is transformed into decidual tissue via a remodelling of the matrix fibrillar network. Various factors seem to be responsible for these complex transformation processes: several studies suggest that the remodelling of endometrial tissue into decidual tissue is conditioned by chemokines and cytokines. In this study we therefore investigated the expression of chemokines and cytokines, which could contribute to this transformation of endometrial tissue.

Study Design: Investigation of the expression patterns of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in endometrial tissue (after routine hysterectomy) and human decidual tissue (7–8 weeks of gestation) was performed by protein array analysis.

Results: This analysis revealed a significant increase in monocyte attracting chemokines (GRO, MCP–1) and granulocyte attracting chemokines (ENA–78) in decidual tissue compared to endometrial tissue. Furthermore, angiogenetic substances (EGF, VEGF, Angiogenin) increased during first trimester and decreased again in last trimester.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that in human pregnancy decidua chemokines and cytokines are indispensable factors for promoting angiogenesis and for preparing a tolerogenic mircomilieu for implantation.

angiogenesis - decidualization - endometrium - protein array