A model of intrauterine infection and preterm delivery in mice

Article Abstract:

Preterm delivery of infants may be caused by infection within the uterus rather than infection within the abdominal cavity. Researchers surgically induced infection in either the uterus or the abdominal cavity of 54 pregnant mice 75% of the way through pregnancy to see which location was associated with preterm delivery. Intrauterine infection with small amounts of Escherichia coli caused 91% of the mice to deliver within 48 hours of induced infection. None of the mice with infections in the abdominal cavity delivered within 48 hours of surgery. Preterm labor may be caused by local infection rather than by infection elsewhere in the body. Intrauterine infection may be identified by high levels of interleukin-1.

Infection, Risk factors, Uterus

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Differential fetal and maternal contributions to the cytokine milieu in a murine model of infection-induced preterm birth

Article Abstract:

During intrauterine infection, the uterus appears to produce mostly pro-inflammatory immune system chemicals whereas the fetus produces mostly anti-inflammatory chemicals. Researchers analyzed the production of immune system chemicals called cytokines in pregnant mice after being injected with E. coli. Both maternal and fetal tissues produced pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 and interleukin-6. However, concentrations were higher in the uterus. Fetal tissues and the placenta produced the highest concentrations of an inti-inflammatory cytokine called interleukin 1 receptor antagonist.

Models, Physiological aspects, Inflammation, Inflammation mediators, Bacterial infections, Cytokines

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A high-throughput study of gene expression in preterm labor with a subtractive microarray approach

Article Abstract:

About 13 genes appear to be activated in pregnant mice who develop an infection during labor that are not activated during labor with no infection or infection in non-pregnant mice. This was the conclusion of researchers who used a DNA microarray to analyze the expression of 4,963 genes in pregnant and non-pregnant mice.

Measurement, Genetic aspects, Gene expression, Premature labor

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