OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate the effect of group B streptococci on cytokine and prostaglandin production by amnion cells in vitro.

STUDY DESIGN: Amnion cells from placentas obtained immediately after primary cesarean section were incubated for 48 hours with heat-inactivated group B streptococci at increasing concentrations. Samples for quantification of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-⍺, and prostaglandin E₂ were collected at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours.

RESULTS: Basal cytokine production was not demonstrable for any of the cytokines investigated. Incubation of amnion cells with bacterial antigen led to a significant increase in interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 production, whereas secretion of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-⍺ was not enhanced. In contrast to cytokines, basal prostaglandin E₂ production was measurable but failed to increase after addition of antigen.

CONCLUSION: Amnion cells can be stimulated to secrete interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in response to streptococcal antigen. However, this rise in cytokines does not induce an increase in prostaglandin E₂. This may be explained by the lack of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-⍺ production, two cytokines that have been shown to activate prostaglandin E₂ secretion by amnion cells. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;176:981-4.)