Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced Interferon (IFN)‐gamma Production by Decidual Mononuclear Cells (DMNC) is Interleukin (IL)‐2 and IL‐12 Dependent

Citation Negishi M, Izumi Y, Aleemuzzaman S, Inaba N, Hayakawa S. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced interferon (IFN)‐gamma production by decidual mononuclear cells (DMNC) is interleukin (IL)‐2 and IL‐12 dependent. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 65: 20–27 Problem Th1‐shifted immune response is believed to be harmful for successful pregnancy because of activation of maternal cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. However, its effects on Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐mediated innate immune response are so far unknown and this study has been undertaken to address the issue. Method of study Decidual tissues were obtained from 16 pregnant women undergoing elective termination during the first trimester pregnancy for socioeconomic reasons. Decidual Mononuclear Cells (DMNC) were stimulated with suboptimal doses of IL‐2 and IL‐12 with/without LPS, considered to be a TLR4 ligand, for 48 hr. Productions of IFN‐γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in culture supernatant were measured with ELISA. Results (i) IFN‐γ production was induced with LPS alone which was strongly up‐regulated in the presence of IL‐2 and IL‐12. (ii) TNF‐α was also induced by LPS but was not affected by the presence of IL‐2 and IL‐12. Conclusion IL‐2 and IL‐12 up‐regulated the production of IFN‐γ in DMNC through increasing their susceptibility to LPS. TNF‐α production is independent of such a mechanism.