IL‐11 Expression in Human Term Placental Macrophages

Citation Pavlov OV, Kramareva NL, Selkov SA. IL‐11 Expression in human term placental macrophages. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 65: 397–402 Problem IL‐11 is a cytokine with pleiotropic activities, including gestational effects. Whereas IL‐11 production by maternal reproductive tissues is extensively studied, there is poor information about IL‐11 sources in the fetal counterpart of the maternal–fetal unit. Method of study We investigated the expression of IL‐11 in the purified human term placenta macrophages, using flow cytometry and immunoenzyme assay. Results Intracellular IL‐11 was detected in a substantial proportion of cultured CD68⁺ cells (median 38%). IL‐11 secretion by the placental macrophages was observed after 23‐hr cultivation (median 4.3 pg/10⁵ cells). Stimulation with lipopolysaccharide did not significantly change both intracellular expression and secretion of the cytokine. Conclusion Demonstrated IL‐11 expression by placental macrophages suggests that non‐trophoblast cells contribute to IL‐11 production at the maternal–fetal interface and thus account for the reproductive effects of the cytokine.