An introduction to Toll-like receptors and their possible role in the initiation of labour.
Toll-like receptors (TLR) have emerged as key upstream mediators of inflammation at many tissue sites in humans. Inflammatory processes are involved in the process of parturition suggesting that TLR activity within gestation-associated tissues might have an important role in the initiation and/or maintenance of normal term labour and in various pathological states of pregnancy such as infection-associated preterm labour. Either TLRs or their signalling molecules might be excellent therapeutic targets for prevention of preterm labour.
Patni
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, UK. shalinipatni@hotmail.com
Flynn
P
P
Wynen
L P
LP
Seager
A L
AL
Morgan
G
G
White
J O
JO
Thornton
C A
CA
D000650:Amnion / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D003656:Decidua / Q000502:physiology; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000502:physiology*; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000502:physiology
D016207:Cytokines; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors