Human labour is associated with a decline in myometrial chemokine receptor expression: the role of prostaglandins, oxytocin and cytokines

Hua, R., Pease, J.E., Cheng, W., Sooranna, S.R., Viney, J.M., Nelson, S.M. , Myatt, L., Bennett, P.R. and Johnson, M.R. (2013) Human labour is associated with a decline in myometrial chemokine receptor expression: the role of prostaglandins, oxytocin and cytokines. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 69(1), pp. 21-32. (doi: 10.1111/aji.12025)

Abstract

<p>Problem: Human labour is an inflammatory process with a heavy infiltration of immune cells into the myometrium and cervix induced by local chemokine production. Myometrial cells also express chemokine receptors, but there is little information about their behaviour or function during pregnancy and labour.</p> <p>Method of Study: We studied the behaviour of the receptors (CCR2, CXCR1 and CXCR2) for the CCL2 and CXCL8 in human myometrium, because both have been shown to be important in labour.</p> <p>Results: We found that there was a significant decline in the mRNA expression of all three receptors in the upper segment and a similar trend in the lower segment with the onset of term labour (TL). Chemokine receptor mRNA expression was increased by stretch, reduced by oxytocin and PGF2α acting via phospholipase C (PLC). CXCR2 declined with exposure to CXCL8, consistent with the negative relationship observed in labouring myometrial tissue. The mRNA changes were confirmed by western analysis and flow cytometry.</p> <p>Conclusion: These data show that myometrial chemokine receptor expression is reduced with the onset of term labour probably in response to the increased activity of chemokines, oxytocin and PGF2α.</p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Nelson, Professor Scott and Pease, Dr James
• Authors: Hua, R., Pease, J.E., Cheng, W., Sooranna, S.R., Viney, J.M., Nelson, S.M., Myatt, L., Bennett, P.R., and Johnson, M.R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: American Journal of Reproductive Immunology
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons for American Society for Reproductive Immunology
• ISSN: 1046-7408
• ISSN (Online): 1600-0897
• Published Online: 09 October 2012