Abstract
Preterm birth is a major contributor to neonatal mortality and morbidity, and infection is a major risk factor. Chorioamnionitis, inflammation of the placenta, and fetal membranes (FMs) are commonly observed in preterm birth and are characterized by neutrophil infiltration. However, interactions between FMs and neutrophils remain incompletely understood. The objectives of this study were to determine how FMs, with or without bacterial LPS stimulation, affect neutrophil recruitment, activation, and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and to elucidate the signaling mechanisms involved. Using a combination of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo approaches, we show that human resting FMs can directly recruit neutrophils and induce them to produce proinflammatory factors. Furthermore, neutrophils release vital NETs in response to FM-derived factors. LPS-stimulated FMs further augmented neutrophil recruitment, inflammatory cytokine/chemokine secretion, and vital NET release and also induced reactive oxygen species production and degranulation. We demonstrate a role for FM-derived TNF-α in mediating these effects through activation of neutrophil p38 MAPK. We propose that, during infection, neutrophil recruitment and activation may neutralize pathogens, vital NET formation, and prolonged neutrophil viability, and in combination with degranulation, reactive oxygen species production and inflammatory chemokine/cytokine production may contribute to tissue injury at the maternal/fetal interface.