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Pattern recognition receptor activity at the maternal fetal interface: Implications for preterm labour. / Aled Huws Bryant

Swansea University Author: Aled Huws Bryant

Abstract

SummaryInterest in the innate immune response at the maternal-fetal interface has developeddue to the association between intrauterine infection, inflammation and adversepregnancy outcomes. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) offer a link betweenmicrobial derived agonists and the production of infl...

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Published: 2014
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa42934
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Abstract: SummaryInterest in the innate immune response at the maternal-fetal interface has developeddue to the association between intrauterine infection, inflammation and adversepregnancy outcomes. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) offer a link betweenmicrobial derived agonists and the production of inflammatory mediators bygestation-associated tissues (placenta, choriodecidua and amnion). An improvedunderstanding of these receptors and the signal transduction cascades they initiatein these tissues might explain why some pregnancies are complicated by pretermlabour (PTL) and preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) whereasothers are only affected by PPROM. However while this may be the eventual aim ofthis field of study; a greater understanding of PRR expression and activity in termnon-laboured tissues is required to provide a baseline comparison for thesereceptors, in order to determine any potential role they may play in normal termlabour but also in preterm labour and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.Examination of PRRs in term non-laboured gestation-associated tissuesdemonstrated the expression of transcripts for Toll-like Receptors (TLRs), NOD-likereceptors (NLRs), RIG-l-like Receptors (RLRs) and C-type lectin Receptors (CLRs).A functional role for TLRs 1-7, NOD1, NOD2, RIG-I/MDA5 and Dectin-1 can beinferred by an increase in the production of IL-6 and IL-8 following stimulation withreceptor specific agonists. IL-1p production and activation of the caspase-1 and/orcaspase-8 inflammasome was observed in the placenta and choriodecidua inresponse to fungal (3-glucan and bacterial flagellin. The anti-inflammatory cytokinesIL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 are able to down-regulate the lipopolysaccharide-stimulatedcytokine responses by the placenta, choriodecidua and amnion. This highlights thepotential utility of these cytokines in preventing preterm birth.
Keywords: Innate immunity
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences

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