Understanding the link between the IL-6 cytokine family and pregnancy: implications for future therapeutics

作者：Markert Udo R^*; Morales Prieto Diana M; Fitzgerald Justine S

来源：Expert Review of Clinical Immunology, 2011, 7(5): 603-609.

DOI：10.1586/ECI.11.60

• abortion
• IL-6
• IL-11
• implantation
• infertility
• leukemia inhibitory factor
• LIF
• placenta
• pregnancy
• STAT
• trophoblast

Cytokines are involved in almost all processes during the menstrual cycle, the fertilization period and pregnancy. They are expressed in numerous reproduction-related body fluids and tissues. Disorders of cytokine expression patterns may cause pregnancy pathologies. Therefore, cytokines have the potential as new biomarkers in different body compartments for a variety of such pathologies. Furthermore, cytokines may also serve to treat fertility and pregnancy disorders. The IL-6-like family of cytokines is an intensively investigated group of cytokines with well-accepted functions in fertility and pregnancy. This article summarizes current knowledge on IL-6-like cytokines in regard of their role in reproduction and their potential for new strategies in the treatment of reproductive pathologies.

• 出版日期2011-9