title: Prevention of preterm labour via the modulation of inflammatory pathways.
abstract: Pregnancy is characterized by a complex interplay of inflammatory events regulated by both the innate and acquired immune systems. Similarly, parturition can be viewed as the activation of "pro-labour" inflammatory pathways, which drive cervical ripening and myometrial activation. Premature activation of these pathways, for example, by infection, can lead to preterm labour and birth. Nuclear factor κβ is a key modulator of these pathways and functions by regulating the expression of prostaglandins, chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in both term and preterm labour. Future design of therapeutics that target key mediators of inflammation and immune activation would therefore be a rational approach for preventing preterm labour and immune-mediated neonatal brain damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: MacIntyre
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sykes
authors.forename: Tiong Ghee
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Teoh
authors.forename: Phillip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007745:Labor Onset / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000517:prevention & control; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011374:Progesterone