Relaxin and the human fetal membranes.
Reprod Sci
; 14(8 Suppl): 42-5, 2007 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18089609
ABSTRACT
The human fetal membranes are complex tissues that perform many important functions during gestation. The extracellular matrix provides their strength to withstand the forces directed from the fetus and myometrium. Relaxin is a collagenolytic hormone that causes increased production of the matrix metalloproteinases. Its expression from the decidua is increased in patients with preterm premature rupture of the membranes, and its leucine-rich G receptor 7 is upregulated at preterm. The authors previously showed that relaxin is not involved in the infection-mediated cytokine response, but in the absence of infection, it causes increased secretion of both interleukin -6 and interleukin-8 from the membranes. In this article, the authors propose that relaxin is one of a number of sterile stimuli capable of causing increased proinflammatory cytokines, similar to but less robust than the effects of infection. These probably represent distinct inflammatory pathways involving different intracellular signaling events, which can result in either preterm premature rupture of the membranes or preterm labor. The current challenge is to fully understand these pathways and to clarify their similarities and differences.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Relaxina
/
Transducción de Señal
/
Membranas Extraembrionarias
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Reprod Sci
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA REPRODUTIVA
Año:
2007
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos