The Modulation of IL-12 by Phosphodiesterase IV Inhibitor and Subsequent Changes of Th-1, Th-2 Cytokines in Human Endometrial Tissue.

Objective : To assess the capability of phosphodiesterase type IV inhibitor (rolipram) to suppress IL-12 in human decidua and the subsequent changes of Th-2 cytokine (IL-10) and Th-1 cytokine (TNF-). Methods : Decidual tissues of 10 first-trimester pregnant women and 10 first-trimester pregnant women diagnosed as missed abortion were collected by dilatation and currettage. The decidual tissues were treated with rolipram for 6 hours. Protein and mRNA expression in the tissues were analysed by western blotting, immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results : Rolipram, in the concentration above 1 g/ml, could decrease the expression of IL-12p35 (control: 46.377.38, rolipram: 24.348.46) and IL-12p40 mRNA (control: 31.75.8, rolipram: 14.94.6) and protein (control: 52.48.9, rolipram: 40.912.1). However, the expression of IL-10 and TNF- mRNA and protein did not changed by rolipram. There was no difference in the cytokine expression pattern between the decidual tissues of normal pregnancy and missed abortion. Conclusion : Rolipram, the phosphodiesterase type IV inhibitor, could induce the decrease of IL-12 in human decidua. In human decidual tissue, unlike other human tissues, the decrease of IL-12 by rolipram did not modulate other Th-1/Th-2 cytokines. Inability of IL-12 to modulate other Th-1/Th-2 cytokines might be related with unique cytokine network in human decidua rather than its small extent of decrease.