Functional regulation of thymic stromal lymphopoietin on proliferation and invasion of trophoblasts in human first-trimester pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a novel cytokine that triggers the dendritic cell-mediated TH2 response and regulatory T cell expansion. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether TSLP and TSLP receptor (TSLPR) are expressed in primary human extravillous trophoblast (EVT), how proimflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β), TH2 and TH3 cytokines (IL-4, TGF-β) and pregnancy-associated hormones regulate TSLP production by EVT and whether the SLP–TSLPR interaction affects the biological behavior of trophoblsts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]