The molecular analysis of placental abruption using in vitro placental model

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Intrauterine infection is a key trigger of placental abruption. In order to analyze the potential role of inflammatory cytokines in this pathogenesis, we examined the expressional pattern of various cytokines in placentae complicated with severe chorioamnionitis (CAM) and found that IL-6 is mainly expressed in macrophages in villous mesenchyme. Using an experimental lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PTD model, the therapeutic potential of targeting this cytokine was investigated. Anti-IL-6 receptor antibody (MR16-1) was delivered before LPS treatment. Mice in the MR16-1 group had a significantly lower rate of PTD (17%) than 53% in the controls. As a result, MR16-1 treatment significantly prolonged the gestational period without any apparent adverse events on the mice and their pups. Thus, targeting IL-6 signaling can be a promising option for the prevention of placental abruption and needs to be further explored for future clinical application.