Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 supernatant and fetal sex on lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine and prostaglandin-regulating enzymes in human placental trophoblast cells: implications for treatment of bacterial vaginosis and prevention of preterm labor

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2009-05, Vol.200 (5), p.532.e1-532.e8
• Main Authors: Yeganegi, Maryam, HBSc, Watson, Carole S., PhD, Martins, Andrew, BSc, Kim, Sung O., PhD, Reid, Gregor, PhD, Challis, John R.G., PhD, Bocking, Alan D., MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the genital system; Biological and medical sciences; Cells, Cultured; Cyclooxygenase 2 - metabolism; cytokines; Cytokines - metabolism; Diseases of mother, fetus and pregnancy; Female; fetal sex; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenases - metabolism; Infectious diseases; Interleukin-10 - metabolism; Interleukin-1beta - metabolism; Lactobacillus rhamnosus - immunology; Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1; Lipopolysaccharides - pharmacology; Male; Medical sciences; Obstetric Labor, Premature - prevention & control; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; preterm birth; Probiotics; prostaglandins; Sex Factors; Toll-Like Receptor 4 - metabolism; Trophoblasts - cytology; Trophoblasts - enzymology; Trophoblasts - microbiology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - metabolism; Vaginosis, Bacterial - immunology; Vaginosis, Bacterial - metabolism; Vaginosis, Bacterial - therapy
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.12.032

Objective The objective of the study was to determine the effect of fetal sex on the output of cytokines and prostaglandin-regulating enzymes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and probiotic lactobacilli-treated placental trophoblast cells. Study Design We examined the effect of LPS and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 supernatant in placental trophoblast cells on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-10 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and on prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), 15-hydroxy prostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH), and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) using Western blotting. Comparisons were performed using one-way analysis of variance and Student t test. Results LPS increased the output of TNF-α, IL-10, and PTGS2 with a greater response in male placentae. L rhamnosus GR-1 supernatant inhibited the LPS-stimulated TNF-α and increased IL-10. It also up-regulated expression of PGDH in female placentae and partially reduced the LPS-stimulated PTGS2 in male placentae. There was no change in IL-1β. Expression of TLR-4 was greater in placentae of male fetuses. Conclusion These findings suggest an underlying mechanism for the sex difference in the incidence of preterm birth and provide potential evidence for a therapeutic benefit of lactobacilli in reducing preterm labor.