ACTIONS OF INTERLEUKIN-4 ON PROSTAGLANDIN BIOSYNTHESIS AT THE CHORION-DECIDUAL INTERFACE

OBJECTIVE: We determined the effects of interleukin-4 on chorion and decidual prostaglandin production. STUDY DESIGN: Chorion and decidual cells from term placentas were grown to confluence. Cells were then incubated with interleukin-4 either alone or with other known stimulants of prostaglandin production: interleukin-1beta, epidermal growth factor, ionomycin, or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Prostaglandin E2 production was determined with a specific radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Interleukin-4 alone stimulated prostaglandin E2 production in chorion and decidual cells. Interleukin-4 significantly enhanced the stimulatory actions of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, ionomycin, and epidermal growth factor but not interleukin-1beta on prostaglandin E2 production. CONCLUSION: Interleukin-4 stimulates prostaglandin E2 production by chorion and decidual cells. These data suggest that interleukin-4 production by immune effector cells in gestational tissues may contribute to the pathophysiologic features of preterm labor.