hIL-2分泌肽序列在HepG2细胞中对hEndostatin表达和分泌差异的影响

目的:了解分泌肽序列在HepG2细胞中对人内皮抑素基因(hEndostatin)的cDNA表达和分泌差异的影响。方法:构建不含hIL-2分泌肽序列的真核表达载体pBlast-hEndo质粒, 转染人的HepG2细胞株, 用RT-PCR的方法检测HepG2(pBlast-hIL2-hEndo), HepG2(pBlast-hEndo), HepG2(pBlast-Mcs)和HepG2中hEndostatin的mRNA表达水平, 及制备4种细胞的总蛋白和收集各自的培养上清, 进行Westernblot分析蛋白表达和分泌的差异。结果:发现HepG2(pBlast-hIL2-hEndo)中hEndostatin的mRNA的水平显著高于HepG2(pBlast-hEndo)。而仅在HepG2(pBlast-hIL-2-hEndo)的细胞总蛋白和上清, 及HepG2(pBlast-hEndo)的细胞总蛋白中检测到hEndostatin表达, 在其它各株细胞总蛋白及上清中, 未检测到hEndostatin。结论:hIL-2分泌肽序列能促进hEndostatin基因在HepG2细胞中表达及分泌。     

Highly oxidized low-density lipoprotein mediates activation of monocytes but does not confer interleukin-1β secretion nor interleukin-15 transpresentation function

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) contributes to cardiovascular disease in part by mediating activation and maturation of monocytes and macrophages. Furthermore, co-localization studies using histochemical approaches have implicated a potential role for oxidized LDL as a mediator of interleukin-15 (IL-15) expression in myeloid cells of atherosclerotic plaque. The latter activity could be an important pro-inflammatory mechanism that mediates myeloid cell/T-cell crosstalk. Here, we examined the responses of primary human monocytes to highly oxidized LDL molecules. Oxidized LDL readily induced secretion of chemokines MCP-1 (CCL2) and GRO-α (CXCL1) but unlike lipopolysaccharide (LPS), has limited capacity to induce a variety of other cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, IL-1β and interferon-γ-induced protein-10 and also displayed a poor capacity to induce p-Akt or P-S6 signaling. Failure of oxidized LDL to induce IL-1β secretion was associated with limited induction of caspase-1 activation. Furthermore, despite finding evidence that oxidized LDL could enhance the expression of IL-15 and IL-15 receptor expression in monocytes, we found no evidence that it could confer IL-15 transpresentation capability to these cells. This observation contrasted with induction of IL-15 transpresentation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes. Overall, our data suggest that highly oxidized LDL is a selective inducer of monocyte activation. Sterile inflammatory mediators, particularly those implicated in Toll-like receptor 4 signaling, may play a role in vascular pathology but the activities of these agents are not uniform.     

人SCF和IL-15基因共转染NK细胞系生物学特性研究

目的：研究人SCF和人IL-15基因共转染NK细胞系的生物学特性。方法：利用LipofectAMINE^TM将IL-15真核表达载体pcDNA3-hIL-15和SCF真核表达载体pcDNA3-hSCF共转染NK-92细胞，RT-PCR鉴定表达SCF和IL-15的细胞克隆并以SCF依赖细胞株TF-1和IL-15依赖细胞株CTLL-2测定上清活性，MTT法检测增殖和杀伤活性。流式细胞术检测细胞表面分子CD3、CDl6、CD56、CD25、CD48、CD54、CD69和CD95。结果：建立共表达hSCF和hIL-15基因的NK-92S15细胞株，在IL-2培养条件下，其增殖能力表现出更强的聚集趋势，且生长要求有一定的细胞浓度，杀伤活性有不同程度下降。细胞表面分子CD16和CD56没有显著变化，而NK细胞活化相关分子CD25、CD48、CD54和CD95明显降低。结论：可以通过SCF和IL-15基因共修饰NK-92，改变其生物学特性，观察NK细胞活化、杀伤相关分子的特征，使NK细胞系有更深入的研究价值。     

Expression and correlation of matrix metalloproteinase-7 and interleukin-15 in human osteoarthritis

Objectives: To investigate the expression and correlation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 and interleukin (IL)-15 in human osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: From October 2013 to December 2014, 30 patients with OA were enrolled. In addition, anther 30 patients with simple meniscus injury were collected as a control group. There were no significant differences in age and gender between the two groups. Articular cartilage tissue was obtained from both OA patients and control group patients. Protein, mRNA, and serum expression levels of MMP-7 and IL-15 in the both two groups were determined by immunohistochemical (IHC), in situ hybridization, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay, respectively. Additionally, correlation between MMP-7 and IL-15 expression level in cartilage tissue and serum was assessed using Pearson correlation analysis. Results: Protein, mRNA, and serum expression levels of MMP-7 and IL-15 in patients with OA were all significantly increased in OA patients compared with the control group. Besides, there were strong positive relationships between articular MMP-7 level and serum MMP-7 level (R² = 0.573, P = 0.018), between articular IL-15 level and serum IL-15 level (R² = 0.861, P = 0.023), and between serum IL-15 level and serum MMP-7 level (R² = 0.602, P = 0.012). Conclusion: These results suggest that MMP-7 and IL-15 might play important roles in the pathogenesis of OA, and IL-15 and MMP-7 has positive correlation in OA.     

Expression of HER2 in colorectal cancer does not correlate with prognosis

Estimation of HER2 membranous expression is routinely used in breast and gastric cancers, as both a prognostic and a predictive factor. To date there is no evidence for similar application of HER2 expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. In CRC, HER2 is sometimes overexpressed in the cell membrane and very often in the cytoplasm. This study was conducted to determine possible correlations between both membranous and cytoplasmatic expression of HER2 in CRC cells and the outcome of the disease. The prognostic significance of combined staining intensity in the cell membrane and cytoplasm in the entire CRC cell was also investigated. HER2 expression in resectable colorectal adenocarcinoma cells was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in specimens taken from 202 patients. The percentage of cancer cells with membranous or cytoplasmatic reactions and the staining intensity of the reaction in the whole cell were recorded. A membranous reaction was present in 27% of cases, and cytoplasmatic reaction in 66% of cases. The total staining intensity in the entire cell was evaluated as moderate (2+) in 32% of cases and strong (3+) staining in 15%. There was no correlation found between either membranous or cytoplasmatic HER2 expression and survival. Furthermore combined staining intensity did not provide any prognostic information. We conclude that HER2 expression in CRC does not correlate with prognosis.     

人肝肿瘤细胞选择性白细胞介素-7剪接变异体cDNA的克隆和序列测定

目的:寻找人肝肿瘤细胞选择性的白细胞介素-7(IL-7)剪接变异体。方法:运用自行设计的IL-7引物,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术,分离正常肝组织、原发肝癌组织、培养肝癌细胞株IL-7mRNA,再对电泳所获条带进行克隆、测序。结果:正常肝组织、原发肝癌组织、培养肝癌细胞株(BEL-7402和SMMC-7721)都能检测到IL-7mRNA,而且从肝癌组织、培养肝癌细胞株分离出1条新带,经亚克隆及测序,证实该条带系人IL-7基因cDNA第4外显子缺乏所致。结论:肝癌组织及培养的肝癌细胞株存在选择性IL-7剪接变异体。该变异体的发现,为肝癌病人的免疫调节紊乱以及肝癌病人的临床免疫治疗提供了新的研究方向。     

Resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice does not necessarily correlate with production of interferon-g in vivo

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is the most important mediator of inhibition of intracellular replication of Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro and has a protective effect against this parasite if administered in vivo. Here we have analyzed the importance of IFN-γ for resistance against a lethal infection with T. cruzi in a mouse model system. Resistant B6D2 mice survived the infection with a virulent strain of T. cruzi, whereas susceptible BALB/c mice died within 3 weeks. Both strains produced large amounts of IFN-γ after infection. Surprisingly, susceptible mice had higher serum concentrations of IFN-γ and showed, using in situ hybridization a stronger increase in IFN-γ mRNA-producing cells in their spleens than resistant mice. Moreover, this pattern was also found when immune spleen cells were stimulated with parasite antigens in vitro. However, a marked difference between these mice was found in the production of IL-4, which was much higher in susceptible mice in vivo and in vitro. No difference was found for IL-10. These data show that, at least in the mouse strain/parasite combination used, production of IFN-γ is not the decisive factor determining resistance or susceptibility to T. cruzi. Rather, it is possible that the balance between protective (e.g., IFN-γ) and exacerbative cytokines (e.g., IL-4) may decide over disease control or progression. Received: 10 April 1998     

Post-thymic regulation of CD5 levels in human memory T cells is inversely associated with the strength of responsiveness to interleukin-15

Immunologic memory is a critical feature of the adaptive immune system to fight recurrent infections. However, the mechanisms that shape the composition and function of the human memory T-cell pool remain incompletely understood. We here demonstrate that post-thymic human T-cell differentiation was associated with the downregulation, but not loss, of the inhibitory molecule CD5. The sensitivity of human CD8(+) and CD4(+) memory T cells to interleukin (IL)-15 was inversely associated with the level of CD5 expression. CD5 expression was downregulated by IL-15-mediated signaling in vitro and CD5(lo) memory T cells accumulated in the bone marrow. Persistent antigenic stimulation, as in the case of cytomegalovirus infection and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), was also associated with an increased number of CD5(lo) memory T cells. In conclusion, CD5 may be a useful marker to identify memory T-cell subsets with distinct responsiveness to the homeostatic cytokine IL-15.     

儿童噬血性淋巴组织细胞增生症GDF15mRNA表达及意义

目的 研究噬血性淋巴组织细胞增生症（HLH）患儿生长分化因子15（GDF15）mRNA表达情况,探讨GDF15表达改变的机制和意义.方法 选取2011年4月至2012年2月四川大学华西第二医院儿童血液肿瘤科收治的初诊HLH患儿为HLH组,选取同期年龄、性别与HLH组匹配的健康体检儿童为对照组.Omega Blood RNA Kit提取外周血总RNA,逆转录制备cDNA后Eva Green定量RT-PCR方法,检测HLH组和对照组的GDF15、Fn-H、HIF1α和HIF2α mRNA表达水平,△△Ct方法计算基因相对表达量.检测血生化指标.结果 HLH组18例,对照组19例.HLH组和对照组GDF15 mRNA相对中位表达量分别为4.584和1.490,HLH组显著高于对照组（P=0.039）;HLH组Fn-H mRNA表达水平显著高于对照组,相对中位表达量分别为3.955和1.690（P=0.008）,并与GDF15 mRNA相对表达呈正相关（r=0.573,P =0.013）;HLH组和对照组HIF1α和HIF2α mRNA相对表达水平差异无统计学意义（P分别为0.282和0.311）;GDF15 mRNA相对表达水平与初诊时最低Hb水平呈负相关（r=-0.576,P=0.015）,与血清铁蛋白、乳酸脱氢酶、网织红细胞计数、三酰甘油和纤维蛋白原水平无相关性.结论 HLH患儿外周血细胞GDF15 mRNA表达显著升高,但不依赖于HIF介导的缺氧感知信号路径.HLH情况下巨噬细胞异常持续活化很可能是GDF15和Fn-H mRNA表达上调的主要机制.     

蛋白激酶C和激活蛋白-1信号级联对哮喘大鼠IL-5基因转录的调控作用

目的　探讨蛋白激酶C(PKC)和激活蛋白 -1(AP- 1)信号转导级联在支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)大鼠外周血T淋巴细胞白细胞介素5 (IL -5 )基因转录中的作用。方法　建立大鼠哮喘模型。从每只大鼠外周血中分离T淋巴细胞,并随机分为空白对照组、PKC激动剂12 肉豆蔻酰 13 乙酸佛波酯(PMA)组、PMA和AP -1顺式诱骗元件(CDODNs)组及PMA和AP -1突变顺式诱骗元件(突变CDODNs)组进行培养。两种CDODNs分别经脂质体转染至后两组细胞。用电泳迁移率改变分析(EMSA)检测AP -1活化,用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT- PCR)检测IL -5mRNA表达。结果　(1)PMA组的AP -1活化(86 777.2 2±2 2 5 7.79)和IL 5mRNA表达(0 .810 0±0 .0 316 )增加,与空白对照组(分别为2 0 70 8.5 4±96 8.0 4和0 .30 5 0±0 .0 12 9)相比较,差异有统计学意义(P <0 .0 1)。(2 )PMA和AP -1顺式诱骗元件组的AP -1活化(2 3475 .90±75 7.99)被抑制,IL -5mRNA表达(0 .345 0±0 .0 12 9)亦减少,与PMA组相比较,其差异有统计学意义(P <0 .0 1)。PMA和AP 1突变顺式诱骗元件组的AP 1活化(86 95 5 .71±16 0 0 .38)和IL- 5mRNA表达(0 .8175±0 .0 2 2 2 )与PMA组相比较,差异无统计学意义(P >0 .0 5 )。(3)T淋巴细胞AP -1活化和IL 5mRNA表达呈显著正相关(P <0 .0 1)。结论　哮     

IL-10和TNF-α在人外周血单个核细胞体外感染卡介苗中的表达及相关性研究

目的探讨白细胞介素-10（IL-10）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）在人外周血单个核细胞（PBMCs）体外感染卡介苗（BCG）中的表达及相互作用。方法 PBMCs体外感染BCG后,分别于3、6、8、24h收集细胞应用荧光定量PCR法检测细胞内IL-10和TNF-α的mRNA含量;此外,分别于8、20、32、48h加入anti-IL-10的抗体孵育,收集细胞培养上清,用ELISA法检测上清中IL-10和TNF-α的蛋白含量。结果 PBMCs体外感染BCG后,相对于空白对照组,IL-10和TNF-α在mRNA和蛋白水平的表达量均增高,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,两者表达量呈现负相关趋势;当加入anti-IL-10的抗体后,TNF-α的蛋白表达量要高于未加抗体组,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论 IL-10和TNF-α在人PBMCs体外感染卡介苗中的表达量增加,IL-10对TNF-α的表达可能具有抑制作用。     

Engineering of a functional interleukin-5 monomer: a paradigm for redesigning helical bundle cytokines with therapeutic potential in allergy and asthma

Interleukin (IL) 5 specifically induces the differentiation of eosinophils which are central to the pathogenesis of allergies and asthma. Structurally, IL-5 is a unique member of the short-chain helical bundle subfamily of cytokines. In contrast to other subfamily members which fold unimolecularly into a single helical bundle, IL-5 forms a pair of helical bundles by the inter-digitation of two identical monomers covalently linked by a pair of intermolecular disulfide bonds. Although a native IL-5 monomer lacks bioactivity, we recently reported the engineering of an insertional mutant of IL-5 (designated mono5) which folds unimolecularly into a single helical bundle and has biological activity similar to that of native IL-5. Here we demonstrate no differences in signal transduction pathways utilized by mono5 and IL-5, as determined by western blot analysis of early tyrosine phosphorylation events, Jak2 activation, and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. However, binding studies utilizing conformationally dependent neutralizing anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibodies localized a tertiary structural perturbation near the insert of mono5. This perturbation enabled localization of a limited region of the tertiary structure of IL-5 that engages the IL-5 receptor -chain. Fluorescent labeling studies further revealed that the cysteines of mono5 contained free sulfhydryl groups, thereby demonstrating that the role of the disulfide bonds of IL-5 is the structural maintenance of other functional domains. The retention of conformational epitopes by mono5, but not IL-5, under reducing conditions and the equivalent thermostability of mono5 and IL-5 despite the absence of a disulfide bond in mono5 indicated that the conformation assumed by mono5 is very stable. In addition to providing the structural framework for designing novel IL-5 agonists and antagonists, the knowledge gained from the development of mono5 will enable other helical bundle proteins to be redesigned with therapeutic potential.Abbreviations ELISA Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - IFN Interferon - IL Interleukin - mAb Monoclonal antibody - MAPK Mitogen-activated protein kinase     

Fundamental role of BMP15 in human ovarian folliculogenesis revealed by null and missense mutations associated with primary ovarian insufficiency

Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) encodes an oocyte factor with a relevant role for folliculogenesis as homodimer or cumulin heterodimer (BMP15‐GDF9). Heterozygous BMP15 variants in the precursor or mature peptide had been associated with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), but the underlying mechanism remains elusive and a double dose of BMP15 was suggested to be required for adequate ovarian reserve. We uncovered two homozygous BMP15 null variants found in two girls with POI and primary amenorrhea. Both heterozygous mothers reported physiological menopause. We then performed western blot, immunofluorescence, and reporter assays to investigate how previously reported missense variants, p.Y235C and p.R329C, located in the precursor or mature domains of BMP15, may affect protein function. The p.R329C variant demonstrates an impaired colocalization with growth/differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) at confocal images and diminished activation of the SMAD pathways at western blot and reporter assays in COV434 follicular cell line. In conclusion, BMP15 null mutations cause POI only in the homozygous state, thus discarding the possibility that isolated BMP15 haploinsufficiency can cause evident ovarian defects. Alternatively, heterozygous BMP15 missense variants may affect ovarian function by interfering with cumulin activity. Our data definitely support the fundamental role of BMP15 in human ovarian folliculogenesis.     

Expression of p16INK4A in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs): two different forms exist that independently correlate with poor prognosis

Haller F, Agaimy A, Cameron S, Beyer M, Gunawan B, Happel N, Langer C, Ramadori G, von Heydebreck A & Füzesi L
(2010) Histopathology 56, 305–318 Expression of p16 ^INK4A in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs): two different forms exist that independently correlate with poor prognosis Aims: To determine the prognostic impact of p16^INK4A expression in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), which is currently being questioned, with both loss and overexpression said to be correlated with poor prognosis. Methods and results: Two different forms of p16^INK4A were identified, presenting with predominantly nuclear and cytoplasmic expression pattern, respectively. The immunohistochemical expression of the two forms and their correlation with E2F1 and prognosis were analysed in a series of 120 GISTs with clinical follow‐up. Low nuclear p16^INK4A expression correlated with E2F1 up‐regulation, higher mitotic counts, and tumour progression. The prognostic value of nuclear p16^INK4A expression was only marginally significant (P = 0.05). Strong expression of the cytoplasmic p16^INK4A form was significantly associated with shorter disease‐free survival (P = 2 × 10^?5). The prognostic impact of strong expression of the cytoplasmic p16^INK4A form was independent of anatomical localization, tumour size and mitotic counts, and significant even among the cohort of tumours with high malignant potential. Conclusions: Low expression of the nuclear p16^INK4A form and strong expression of the cytoplasmic p16^INK4A form both represent two independent parameters each associated with tumour progression in GISTs. Low nuclear p16^INK4A expression enables E2F1 up‐regulation and consecutive accelerated cell proliferation. In contrast, strong cytoplasmic p16^INK4A expression probably reflects a negative feedback loop as a result of (as yet unknown) oncogenic events.     

Expression and function of Siglec-15 in RLPS and its correlation with PD-L1: Bioinformatics Analysis and Clinicopathological Evidence

Purpose: Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) is a rare malignancy without effective treatment. Since current treatment for unresectable RLPS is unsatisfactory, immunotherapy and targeted therapy are urgently needed. Siglec-15 is a transmembrane protein highly homologous to PD-L1 and is involved in tumor immune escape. The biological function of Siglec-15 in RLPS, its prognostic relevance and its relationship with PD-L1 need to be further clarified. In this study, we aimed to explore the biological function of Siglec-15 in sarcomas through bioinformatics analysis, and we also evaluated Siglec-15 and PD-L1 expression in RLPS samples. The relationship between the expression of Siglec-15 and PD-L1 and their clinicopathological relevance and prognostic value were also investigated in clinical RLPS patients.Methods: The RNA sequencing data of 259 sarcoma cases and 48 RLPS cases from TCGA were used to analyze the Siglec-15 expression and the differentially expressed genes (DEG) related with Siglec-15 expression. In addition, DEGs were subsequently analyzed through the gene ontology (GO)/ Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Tumor specimens were obtained from 91 RLPS patients of our sarcoma center, and Siglec-15 and PD-L1 expression were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The correlation between the expression level of these two markers as well as their correlation with clinicopathological factors and prognosis of RLPS patients was also assessed.Results: GEPIA analysis showed that the high expression of Siglec-15 was associated with poor sarcoma OS (P=0.034). A total of 682 differential genes were identified between the high and low expression groups of Siglec-15 in RLPS. Enrichment analysis of the KEGG pathway showed that Siglec-15 was related to the Hippo signaling pathway and the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. GO annotation analysis showed that the expression of Siglec-15 may thus be able to affect serine hydrolase activity, alongside signal receptor activator activity. The top 5 genes with the largest number of connection points are APOA1, F2, AHSG, AMBP, SERPINC1. In subsequent studies, we used 91 liposarcoma samples from our center for verification. Siglec-15 was expressed in 84.6% of RLPS cases, whereas PD-L1 was expressed in 17.6% of RLPS cases. A negative correlation was observed between Siglec-15 and PD-L1 expression (P=0.020). In this group of RLPS patients, high Siglec-15 expression was correlated with poorer disease-free survival (DFS) (P=0.021), and it was an independent predictor of DFS (hazard ratio: 2.298; 95% confidence interval: 1.154-4.576; P=0.018). However, we did not find a correlation between PD-L1 expression and overall survival or DFS in RLPS patients.Conclusion: The DEG and signaling pathways identified in the study could provide a preliminary understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of Siglec-15 in the development and progression of RLPS. High expression of Siglec-15 was a negative independent predictive factor for DFS of RLPS. The negative relationship between Siglec-15 and PD-L1 expression suggested that the Siglec-15 pathway might be an important supplement to PD-L1 treatment.     

Narrowed abrogation of the Angelman syndrome critical interval on human chromosome 15 does not interfere with epigenotype maintenance in somatic cells

Human chromosome 15q11–q13 involves a striking imprinted gene cluster of more than 2 Mb that is concomitant with multiple neurological disorders manifested by Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) and Angelman syndrome (AS). PWS and AS patients with imprinting mutation have microdeletions, which share a 4.3 kb short region of overlap (SRO) at the 5 end of the paternal SNURF-SNRPN gene in PWS, or on the maternal allele, which shares a 880 bp SRO located at the 35 kb upstream of the SNURF-SNRPN promoter in AS. Recent studies have revealed an essential role of PWS-SRO in the postzygotic maintenance of the appropriate epigenotype on the paternal chromosome. For AS-SRO, however, there is insufficient experimental evidence exists to determine the direct functions. Here we show that the complete deletion of AS-SRO does not cause any anomalies of imprinted gene expression or DNA methylation on the mutated human chromosome 15, further supporting the idea that AS-SRO is dispensable for post implantation imprint maintenance. This implies that AS-SRO is not essential for the robust epigenotype preservation in somatic cells.     

Expression of interleukin-1beta mRNA in murine uterine and gestational tissues: relationship with gestational age.

PROBLEM: The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1beta has been shown to stimulate the production of prostaglandins (PG) in gestational tissues. Increased PG synthesis is considered a key step in the initiation of labor both at term and preterm. In this study. IL-1beta mRNA in the uterus and gestational tissues of mice during mid to late pregnancy was studied to characterize its tissue specific as well as gestational age expression. METHOD OF STUDY: Gestational tissues (placenta. decidual cap and fetal membranes). uterus, and cervix were collected from pregnant mice during gestation. Total RNA was isolated and probed for the expression of IL-1beta mRNA. RESULTS: There was a significantly increased expression of IL-1beta mRNA in the uterus on day 18 of pregnancy. In the decidual caps, there was increased expression of IL-1beta mRNA on day 14 of pregnancy and a decrease in expression with the onset of labor. In the fetal membranes and placenta, IL-1beta mRNA expression significantly increased on days 14 and 18 of pregnancy. respectively, and then remained elevated for the duration of pregnancy. In the cervix, there was a decrease in expression with labor onset. CONCLUSIONS: The increases in IL-1beta mRNA in the fetal membranes and placenta late in pregnancy are consistent with a localized, tissue specific inflammatory activation involved in the initiation of parturition.