Document Detail


Human mid-gestation amniotic fluid contains interleukin-16 bioactivity.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19278422     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
CD4-positive cells are detectable in the human fetal gastrointestinal tract from 11 weeks of gestation. Interleukin-16 (IL-16) is a chemoattractant for CD4(+) cells and, via fetal swallowing of amniotic fluid, could mediate the influx of CD4(+) cells into the fetal gut. We have shown that IL-16 was detectable in human amniotic fluid at 16-18 weeks of gestation (mid-pregnancy) but was not detectable at term (late pregnancy; > 37 weeks of gestation). Similarly, mid-pregnancy, but not late pregnancy, amniotic fluid contained chemotactic activity for CD4(+) T cells, this activity was reduced by 58% in the presence of a neutralizing anti-IL-16 antibody. The levels of IL-16 in fetal plasma at 16-24 weeks of gestation were very high, and decreased significantly by 25-36 weeks but at > 37 weeks remained significantly higher than adult levels. IL-16 transcripts were detectable in whole tissue extracts of fetal gut, skin and placenta but not in amniocytes, and IL-16 immunoreactivity was detectable in cells within the lamina propria of the fetal gut and within the skin, where it was associated with the basement membrane. Neither IL-16 levels nor chemotactic activity for CD4(+) T cells in mid-pregnancy amniotic fluid was related to atopic outcomes at 1 year of age. IL-16 might have an important role in the early development of the human immune system and/or in regulating fetal and maternal immunological responsiveness during pregnancy.
Authors:
Catherine A Thornton; Judith A Holloway; Janis K Shute; John W Holloway; Norma D Diaper; John O Warner
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Immunology     Volume:  126     ISSN:  1365-2567     ISO Abbreviation:  Immunology     Publication Date:  2009 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-03-12     Completed Date:  2009-05-14     Revised Date:  2010-09-22    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0374672     Medline TA:  Immunology     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  543-51     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Institute of Life Science, School of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea. c.a.thornton@swansea.ac.uk
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Amniotic Fluid / immunology*
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / immunology
Fetus / immunology
Gestational Age
Humans
Hypersensitivity, Immediate / embryology,  immunology
Infant
Interleukin-16 / metabolism*
Intestines / embryology,  immunology
Skin / embryology,  immunology
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
HL-61858/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Interleukin-16
Comments/Corrections

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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