Constitutively high-level expression of TGFß isoforms in cord blood and its relationship to perinatal findings.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of TGFß isoforms in cord blood is not well understood. METHODS: We obtained cord blood samples from 37 term infants and 85 preterm infants who were born in several clinical settings. The serum levels of 3 TGFß isoforms and of the other 17 cytokines in cord blood were investigated using cytometric bead array technology. RESULTS: Very high levels of TGFß1 and TGFß2 isoforms compared to the level of other cytokines were found; mean levels were 44,180 and 1871pg/mL, respectively. The levels of all 3 isoforms of TGFß were significantly correlated with birth weight, and the levels of TGFß1 and TGFß3 were correlated with gestational age. The levels of TGFß1 and ß2 isoforms were strongly correlated with each other, but not with levels of other cytokines. The levels of TGFß1 and TGFß2 were significantly higher in male infants and significantly lower in infants with fetal growth restriction. The prevalence of chronic lung disease was related to a low level of TGFß1, and that of patent ductus arteriosus was related to a high level of TGFß1 in preterm infants. CONCLUSIONS: TGFß1 and TGFß2 appeared to play a significant role in physiological and pathological conditions in the fetus. TGFß isoform levels appear to be regulated independently of those of other cytokines and do not appear to be influenced by inflammation in the fetal period. The role of TGFß3 in cord blood and the postnatal chronological changes of the TGFß isoforms should be investigated in the future.