Role of cytokines in cell differentiation in the paraventricular region of the brain in fetuses with in utero encephalitis

OBJECTIVE: To examine the specific features of cell differentiation and migration of neuroepithelial cells of the paraventricular region (PVR) in human fetuses with in utero encephalitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A morphometric technique was used to investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and transforming growth factor-beta in the structures of the PVR of the thalamus in 47 fetuses with signs of in utero encephalitis and in 10 healthy fetuses at 26-27 weeks' gestation. RESULTS: In utero encephalitis was characterized by productive and productive-and-necrotic inflammation and in most cases it was a manifestation of generalized in utero infection. In in utero encephalitis, diminished PVR cellularity, a larger number of neurons and glial cells in the thalamic region, and that of glial fibrillary acidic protein-expressing cells, and enhanced cellular proliferative activity in the PVR implied the accelerated maturation of its cells. The decrease in the number of vessels in the PVR was caused by the lower cellular expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor. CONCLUSION: In in utero encephalitis, there are significant changes in the processes of cell differentiation and migration in the fetal PVR, which was associated with a number of cytokines regulating an intercellular interaction.