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Do Cytokines Contribute to the Andean-Associated Protection From Reduced Fetal Growth at High Altitude?

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Abstract

Pro-versus anti-inflammatory cytokine balance is important for successful pregnancy. Chronic hypoxia alters cytokine levels and increases the frequency of fetal growth restriction (FGR). Multigenerational Andean (AND) versus shorter duration European (EUR) high-altitude (HA) residents are protected from altitude-associated FGR. To address whether ancestry group differences in cytokine levels were involved, we conducted serial studies in 56 low-altitude ([LA]; 400 m; n = 29 AND and n = 27 EUR) and 42 HA residents (3600-4100 m; n = 19 ANDs and n = 23 EURs). Pregnancy raised pro- (interleukin 1β [IL-1β]) and anti- (IL-10) inflammatory cytokines and HA lowered IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) near term. There were no ancestry group differences in cytokine levels at any time, but HA reduced IL-1β in ANDs only near term. Higher IL-1β levels correlated with uterine artery (UA) blood flow at 20 weeks in ANDs at HA, suggesting that IL-1β may play a role in AND protection from altitude-associated reductions in fetal growth.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Altitude Research Center, Mail Stop F-524, University of Colorado Denver, 12469 East 17th Place, Bldg. 400, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    R. Daniela Dávila MD, Colleen G. Julian PhD, Megan J. Wilson PhD, Vaughn A. Browne MD, PhD & Lorna G. Moore PhD

  2. Department of Health and Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA

    Colleen G. Julian PhD & Megan J. Wilson PhD

  3. Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratory, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA

    R. Daniela Dávila MD

  4. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Lorna G. Moore PhD

  5. Instituto Boliviano de Biología de Altura, La Paz, Bolivia

    R. Daniela Dávila MD & Enrique Vargas MD

  6. Clinica Siraní, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

    Carmelo Rodriguez MD

  7. Anthroplogical Genetics Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA

    Abigail W. Bigham PhD & Mark D. Shriver PhD

Authors
  1. R. Daniela Dávila MD
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  2. Colleen G. Julian PhD
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  3. Megan J. Wilson PhD
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  4. Vaughn A. Browne MD, PhD
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  5. Carmelo Rodriguez MD
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  6. Abigail W. Bigham PhD
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  8. Enrique Vargas MD
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  9. Lorna G. Moore PhD
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Correspondence to R. Daniela Dávila MD.

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Daniela Dávila, R., Julian, C.G., Wilson, M.J. et al. Do Cytokines Contribute to the Andean-Associated Protection From Reduced Fetal Growth at High Altitude?. Reprod. Sci. 18, 79–87 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719110380061

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719110380061

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