Abstract | BACKGROUND: Human labor is a complex series of cellular and molecular events that occur at the materno-fetal and uterine levels. Many hypotheses have been proposed for the initiation of human labor, one hypothesis suggests that maturation of the fetus releases a signal in the amniotic fluid that will be transmitted to myometrium via the fetal membranes and initiate uterine contractions. There is strong evidence that prostaglandins (PGs) play a central role in initiation and progression of human labor. OBJECTIVES: In this study we intended to investigate the expression of prostaglandin F synthase and the prostaglandin transporter in the human fetal membranes and to explore the relationship between cytokines and PGs in the mechanism of human labor. METHODS: RESULTS: Expression of PTGS2 and AKR1B1 was upregulated in the fetal membranes in association with term labor while SLCO2A1 was downregulated with advancing gestation and during term labor. Before labor, IL-1 increased the expression of PTGS2, however during labor TNF upregulated PTGS2 and AKR1B1 proteins. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Hana A Alzamil, Joya Pawade, Michel A Fortier, A López Bernal |
Journal | Frontiers in physiology
(Front Physiol)
Vol. 5
Pg. 272
( 2014)
ISSN: 1664-042X [Print] Switzerland |
PMID | 25126080
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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