Burdet J, Sacerdoti F, Cella M, Franchi AM, Ibarra C. Role of TNF-α in the mechanisms responsible for preterm delivery induced by Stx2 in rats.
Br J Pharmacol 2013;
168:946-53. [PMID:
23043728 PMCID:
PMC3631382 DOI:
10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.02239.x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Revised: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Infections with a strain of Escherichia coli producing Shiga toxins could be one of the causes of fetal morbidity and mortality in pregnant women. We have previously reported that Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2) induces preterm delivery in pregnant rats. In this study, we evaluate the role of TNF-α, PGs and NO in the Stx2-induced preterm delivery.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
Pregnant rats were treated with Stx2 (0.7 ng g(-1)) and killed at different times after treatment. Placenta and decidua were used to analyse NOS activity by the conversion of L-[(14)C]arginine into L-[(14)C]citrulline, levels of PGE(2) and PGF(2α) assessed by radioimmunoassay, and cyclooxygenase (COX) proteins by Western blot. TNF-α level was analysed in serum by ELISA and by cytotoxicity in L929 cells. The inhibitor of inducible NOS, aminoguanidine, the COX-2 inhibitor, meloxicam, and the competitive inhibitor of TNF-α, etanercept, were used alone or combined to inhibit NO, PGs and TNF-α production respectively, to prevent Stx2-induced preterm delivery.
KEY RESULTS
Stx2 increased placental PGE(2) and decidual PGF(2α) levels as well as COX-2 expression in both tissues. Aminoguanidine and meloxicam delayed the preterm delivery time but did not prevent it. Etanercept blocked the TNF-α increase after Stx2 treatment and reduced the preterm delivery by approximately 30%. The combined action of aminoguanidine and etanercept prevented Stx2-induced preterm delivery by roughly 70%.
CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS
Our results demonstrate that the increased TNF-α and NO induced by Stx2 were the predominant factors responsible for preterm delivery in rats.
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