VIP modulates the pro-inflammatory maternal response inducing tolerance to trophoblast-cells

L. FRACCAROLI; L. LAROCCA; M. CALAFAT; V. ROCA; E. LOMBARDI; C. PÉREZ LEIRÓS; R. RAMHORST

Buenos Aires

Congreso; III Iberoamerican Congress of Neuroimmunomodulation; 2009

Successful embryo implantation occurs followed by a local pro-inflammatory and Th1 response, subsequently controlled by a Th2 response. VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) has anti-inflammatory effects and promotes tolerogenic/Th2 responses; then we investigated the regulatory role of VIP on human trophoblast cells, maternal pro-inflammatory response and trophoblast-maternal leukocyte interaction. First, we tested VIP effects directly on immortalized trophoblast cells (Swan 71) and after co culture with maternal fertile PBMCs as representative models of feto-maternal dialogue. Swan 71 cells express VPAC1 receptor and VIP induced their proliferation and the expression of leukaemia inhibitor factor (LIF), a proimplantatory marker. After the interaction with trophoblast cells, VIP significantly increased Foxp3, the frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ within maternal PBMCs and TGF expression (p