Abstract:
In the present study, the possible mechanisms by which interferon (IFN)-? affects pregnancy were investigated using the cytokine network model. The IFN-?-induced expression of interleukin (IL)-1? was examined using western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The results showed that IFN-? treatment significantly decreased the expression of uterine IL-1? protein during the preimplantation, post-implantation and mid-gestation periods. The expression of IL-1? protein was increased after IFN-? treatment compared with the control group in late pregnancy. In the placenta, IL-1? protein levels were significantly increased after IFN-? treatment in early and mid-pregnancy. In late pregnancy, IFN-? treatment significantly decreased placental IL-1? protein levels. IL-1? was mainly expressed in the myometrium, uterine arteries, decidua basalis, trophospongium of the junctional layer and trophoblastic epithelium of the labyrinthine layers. IL-1? was mainly located in the cytoplasm of in vitro cultured endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). IFN-? treatment did not affect the distribution of IL-1?, only the expression of IL-1?. The effects of IFN-? on the proliferation of ESCs were determined using an MTS (a novel tetrazolium compound) assay. IFN-? treatment inhibited the proliferation of ESCs and decreased the weight of the fetus and placenta. These results indicate that exogenous IFN-? affects the expression of IL-1? and inhibits ESC proliferation.