Does tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression lead to spontaneous abortion in Chlamydia trachomatis-infected women. (May 2020) - Singh, Namita
Abstract: Cytokines might be involved in spontaneous abortion by triggering inflammatory mediators (Cyclooxygenases (Cox)) leading to spontaneous abortion in Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct)-infected women. Study aimed to quantitate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-8) and Cox-2 in endometrial curettage tissue (ECT) of Spontaneous Aborters (SA). SA (n = 135) and 120 age-matched controls were enrolled from SJH, New Delhi, India. PCR was performed for detection of Ct MOMP gene (537 bp) in ECT. mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and Cox-2 was assessed by real-time qPCR. Data was statistically evaluated. 14.8% SA were diagnosed as Ct-positive. Elevated expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-8 and Cox-2 was observed in Ct-infected SA. Ct-positive recurrent aborters showed significantly higher cytokine expression. Significant positive correlation was found between expression of Cox-2 and TNF-α in infected SA. Data suggested an increased expression of Th-1 cytokines, particularly TNF-α that induced Cox-2 expression in ECT, leading to spontaneous abortion in Ct-infected pregnant women. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Study revealed effect of proinflammatory cytokines on C. trachomatis -positive SA. Increased expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-8 in ECT of C. trachomatis -positive SA. TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-8 expression was significantly higher in RSA versus SSA. TNF-α and COX-2 were positively correlated with each other in infected aborters. Aberration in TNF-α and IFN-γ can induce COX-2 leading to immunopathogenesis of SA.