Lancet. 1992 Mar 28;339(8796):776-7.
 
Choriodecidual production of interleukin-8 and mechanism of parturition.
Kelly RW, Leask R, Calder AA.

Medical Research Council Reproductive Biology Unit, University of Edinburgh Centre for Reproductive Biology, UK.

Both prostaglandins and antiprogestagens can induce labour and ripen the cervix, but the mechanisms are unclear. The collagenases that bring about cervical ripening are neutrophil derived. We examined the potential of uterine tissues to control neutrophil attraction by measuring interleukin-8 production. Choriodecidual cells in culture produced substantial amounts of interleukin-8; release was inhibited by progesterone and stimulated by the antiprogestagen mifepristone. Interleukin-8 production was similar in cells from spontaneously delivered placentas and from those obtained at caesarean section. Since prostaglandin E and interleukin-8 have synergistic effects, we suggest that interleukin-8 activity is the final common step of prostaglandin and antiprogestagen action in parturition.