Role of cytokine signaling in group B Streptococcus-stimulated expression of human beta defensin-2 in human extraplacental membranes.

PROBLEM Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. We tested the hypothesis that the choriodecidua plays a role in GBS-stimulated human beta defensin(HBD)-2 increases in amnion cells through a secreted factor of choriodecidual origin. METHOD OF STUDY Human amnion epithelial cells were treated with choriodecidual GBS-conditioned medium, live GBS, lipoteichoic acid (LTA), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), with and without IL-1 inhibitors. RESULTS Choriodecidual tissue punches released IL-1α and IL-1β in response to GBS and this medium significantly stimulated release of HBD-2 by amnion cell cultures. Inhibitors of IL-1 significantly impaired the release of HBD-2 from amnion cells treated with GBS choriodecidual conditioned medium. Direct stimulation of amnion cells with GBS, LTA, or LPS did not increase HBD-2 release. CONCLUSION Paracrine signaling involving IL-1 of choriodecidual origin is likely a critical driver for amnion HBD-2 increases in response to GBS infection of extraplacental membranes.