Is Preterm Labor Influenced by the Maternal-Fetal Interface?
Preterm labor (PTL) accounts for almost 11% of deliveries, and is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. T regulatory (Treg) cells may prevent fetal rejection by the maternal immune system under the influence of progesterone. Case control study was conducted to determine Treg cells, IL-10, TGF-β, and membrane progesterone receptorα (mPRα) in the maternal-fetal interface (placenta), including eight pregnant women with threatened PTL (study group) and 16 normal-delivery women (control group). Comparing study group versus control, mean gestational age of delivery differed significantly (p = 0.02), as did endothelial hyperplasia in the upper half (p = 0.035) and the lower half (p = 0.005) of the placenta. Besides, there was higher expression of mPRα and IL-10 in all layers, while Foxp3 expression occurred equally and only in the decidua. TGF-β expression was similar in both groups. Preterm group placentas showed higher endothelial hyperplasia in both upper and lower halves of the placenta.
a Obstetric Unit , University Hospital Centre and Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal.
Ana Luísa
AL
Areia
b Pathology Unit , Coimbra University Hospital Centre , Coimbra , Portugal.
Pedro
P
Rodrigues
c Faculty of Medicine , Institute of Anatomical and Molecular Pathology, University of Coimbra , Portugal Coimbra , Portugal.
Ana
A
Alarcão
c Faculty of Medicine , Institute of Anatomical and Molecular Pathology, University of Coimbra , Portugal Coimbra , Portugal.
Ana
A
Ladeirinha
a Obstetric Unit , University Hospital Centre and Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal.
Paulo
P
Moura
c Faculty of Medicine , Institute of Anatomical and Molecular Pathology, University of Coimbra , Portugal Coimbra , Portugal.
Lina
L
Carvalho
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D033261:Maternal-Fetal Relations; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta
Placental disorder; hyperplasia; mPRα; pregnancy