Hormone-like chemicals-cytokine interaction in the human chorionic villous explants

Problem: hormones and cytokines acting locally at the maternal fetal interface are believed to play a major role in establishing the immune privilege of pregnancy. Numerous studies show that environment polluting chemicals can interfere with the action of natural hormones and therefore with the secretion of cytokines. In this study we investigated the effect of para-nonylphenol (p-NP), an environmental chemical with estrogenic activity as well as 17-Estradiol (E2) on human chorionic villous explants. Specifically we investigated the role of p-NP and E2 on the secretion of MIF (Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor), a cytokine highly present in placental tissues mainly in the early stages of pregnancy. Methods: chorionic villous explants from first trimester human placenta were exposed to E2 or p-NP for 48 hours and then, analysed for MIF expression and its secretion in the culture medium. The membrane transporter, ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) was also investigated for its activity in MIF secretion. Results: the results showed that both, p-NP and E2, significantly reduced MIF release by reducing the expression of ABCA1. Activity of p-NP was however much more potent than that of E2 since producing the same effect at much lower concentration, 1 nM (p-NP ) vs 10 mM (E2). No changes were observed in tissue MIF protein and mRNA content for any treatment.