The role of nuclear factor kappa B in human labour.
Preterm birth remains the leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity, largely as a result of a poor understanding of the precise mechanisms controlling labour onset in humans. Inflammation has long been recognised as a key feature of both preterm and term labour, with an influx of inflammatory cells into the uterus and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines observed during parturition. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) is a transcription factor family classically associated with inflammation. Accumulating evidence points to a role for NF-kappaB in the physiology and pathophysiology of labour. NF-kappaB activity increases with labour onset and is central to multiple prolabour pathways. Premature or aberrant activation of NF-kappaB may thus contribute to preterm labour. The current understanding of NF-kappaB in the context of human labour is discussed here.
Lindström
Tamsin M
TM
Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, 3rd Floor IRDB, Hammersmith Campus, Imperial College, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. t.lindstrom@imperial.ac.uk
Bennett
Phillip R
PR
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation; D007745:Labor Onset / Q000276:immunology*; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D016207:Cytokines; C083487:I kappa B beta protein; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011453:Prostaglandins; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases