Role of cytokine signaling in group B Streptococcus-stimulated expression of human beta defensin-2 in human extraplacental membranes

Am J Reprod Immunol. 2015 Mar;73(3):263-72. doi: 10.1111/aji.12325. Epub 2014 Sep 29.

Abstract

Problem: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. We tested the hypothesis that the choriodecidua plays a role in GBS-stimulated human beta defensin(HBD)-2 increases in amnion cells through a secreted factor of choriodecidual origin.

Method of study: Human amnion epithelial cells were treated with choriodecidual GBS-conditioned medium, live GBS, lipoteichoic acid (LTA), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), with and without IL-1 inhibitors.

Results: Choriodecidual tissue punches released IL-1α and IL-1β in response to GBS and this medium significantly stimulated release of HBD-2 by amnion cell cultures. Inhibitors of IL-1 significantly impaired the release of HBD-2 from amnion cells treated with GBS choriodecidual conditioned medium. Direct stimulation of amnion cells with GBS, LTA, or LPS did not increase HBD-2 release.

Conclusion: Paracrine signaling involving IL-1 of choriodecidual origin is likely a critical driver for amnion HBD-2 increases in response to GBS infection of extraplacental membranes.

Keywords: Antimicrobial peptides; extraplacental membranes; group B Streptococcus; human beta defensin; placenta; pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amnion / drug effects
  • Amnion / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chorion / drug effects
  • Chorion / metabolism*
  • Culture Media, Conditioned / pharmacology
  • Decidua / drug effects
  • Decidua / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / pharmacology
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-1alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-1alpha / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1alpha / physiology*
  • Interleukin-1beta / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1beta / physiology*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Paracrine Communication
  • Pregnancy
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / physiology*
  • Teichoic Acids / pharmacology
  • beta-Defensins / biosynthesis*
  • beta-Defensins / genetics
  • beta-Defensins / metabolism

Substances

  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • DEFB4A protein, human
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Interleukin-1alpha
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Teichoic Acids
  • beta-Defensins
  • lipoteichoic acid