Diagnostic biomarkers of pro-inflammatory immune-mediated preterm birth.

PURPOSE: Pro-inflammatory immunity, either infectious or sterile-derived, is one of the major causes of preterm birth and associated with enhanced maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Diagnosing intrauterine inflammation at an early stage is tremendously important. Amniotic fluid interleukin (IL)-6 concentration is currently the most investigated diagnostic tool for detecting intrauterine inflammation.

METHODS

Amniotic fluid samples were obtained from women with no signs of intrauterine infection [amniocentesis (n = 82), cesarean section (n = 110), spontaneous delivery (n = 20) and those with clinical signs of intrauterine infection or inflammation (AIS, n = 16)]. Amniotic fluid was screened by commercial ELISAs for IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, growth regulated oncogene-α (gro) α, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) 1α, MIP1β, histone, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, proIL1β and interferon γ-induced protein (IP) 10.

RESULTS

ProIL-1β, MIP1β, IL-10 and IL-8 levels were significantly elevated in the AIS group, whereas IL-4 levels were significantly lower in the AIS group. No significant differences were found regarding IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, GROα, MIP1α, histone, TNFα, ProIL1β and IP10.

CONCLUSION

MIP1β, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10 and proIL-1β might be potential singular biomarkers in diagnosing intrauterine inflammation. The combinations of elevated levels of IL-17/GROα, MIP1β/IL-15 and histone/IL-10 are new potentially advantageous biomarker combinations.