The pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine profile in peripheral blood of women with recurrent implantation failure

Limited information is available on the balance state of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). This study assessed the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in plasma of 34 patients with RIF, compared with those of 25 women with a successful pregnancy in the first IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) cycle. The IFN-gamma, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-4 concentrations were higher, whereas the TGF-beta 1 concentration was lower in the RIF group compared with the control group. Furthermore, the ratios of pro- inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma/IL-4, IFN-gamma/IL-10, IFN-gamma/TGF-beta 1, IL-6/IL-10, IL-6/TGF-beta 1, IL-1 beta/TGF-beta 1 and TNF-alpha/TGF-beta 1 were higher in the RIF group (all P < 0.01). The results suggested a shift toward a pro- inflammatory state in peripheral blood of the patients with RIF. (C) 2015 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.