Leukocytes are primed in peripheral blood for activation during term and preterm labour

Yuan, M., Jordan, F., McInnes, I. , Harnett, M. and Norman, J. (2009) Leukocytes are primed in peripheral blood for activation during term and preterm labour. Molecular Human Reproduction, 15(11), pp. 713-724. (doi: 10.1093/molehr/gap054) (PMID:19628509)

Abstract

We hypothesized that the priming and activation of maternal leukocytes in peripheral blood is a key component of parturition, and that inappropriate preterm priming of leukocytes might initiate preterm labour and delivery. The purpose of this study was to characterize peripheral blood leukocyte activation during human term and preterm labour. We obtained blood samples from pregnant women at term and preterm, both in labour and not in labour. Leukocyteswere characterized according to cell subtype and cell surface marker expression. Additionally, we quantified leukocyte cytokine mRNA production, migratory ability and reactive oxygen species production of neutrophils and macrophages. We found that both term and preterm labour were associated with an increase in monocyte and neutrophil proportion or number-neutrophil migratory ability and cell surface marker expression indicating activation. Messenger RNA expression of IL-1 beta and IL-8, MCP-1 and TLR-2 was also increased. We conclude that leukocytes in peripheral blood are primed in preparation for activation during term and preterm labour, and that this may contribute to the pathophysiological events of parturition. These data may lead to novel therapies and diagnostic tools for the prevention and/or diagnosis of preterm birth.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McInnes, Professor Iain and Harnett, Professor Margaret and Jordan, Mrs Fiona and Norman, Professor Jane
• Authors: Yuan, M., Jordan, F., McInnes, I., Harnett, M., and Norman, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Molecular Human Reproduction
• ISSN: 1360-9947