Low levels of anti-secretory factor in placenta are associated with preterm birth and inflammation.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Anti-secretory factor is a protein that regulates secretory and inflammatory processes and preterm birth is associated with inflammation. Therefore, our hypothesis was that anti-secretory factor might play a role in immune reactivity and homeostasis during pregnancy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Following spontaneous onset of labor and preterm or term delivery, placenta biopsies were collected. The levels of anti-secretory factor and markers of inflammation (CD68, CD163) and vascularization (CD34, smooth muscle actin) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS:

The 61 placental biopsies included 31 preterm (<37 weeks of gestation) and 30 term (37-41 weeks) samples. The preterm placentas exhibited lower levels of anti-secretory factor (p = 0.008) and larger numbers of CD68-positive cells (p < 0.001) compared to term. Preterm placentas had blood vessel of smaller diameter (p = 0.036) indicative of immaturity. The level of interleukin-6 in cord blood was higher after very preterm than term birth, suggesting a fetal inflammatory response. The placenta level of anti-secretory factor was positively correlated to the length of gestation (p = 0.025) and negatively correlated to the levels of the inflammatory markers CD68 (p = 0.015) and CD163 (p = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS:

Preterm delivery is associated with low levels of anti-secretory factor in placenta. Inflammation, a potential trigger of preterm birth, is more pronounced in the preterm placenta and inversely related to the placental level of anti-secretory factor, suggesting both a link and a potential target for intervention.

• Authors: Anna M Gustafsson, Emma Fransson, Aurelija Dubicke, Anna K Hjelmstedt, Gunvor Ekman-Ordeberg, Sven-Arne Silfverdal, Stefan Lange, Eva Jennische, Kajsa Bohlin
• Journal: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica (Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand) Vol. 97 Issue 3 Pg. 349-356 (Mar 2018) ISSN: 1600-0412 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 29265188 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2017 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Neuropeptides
• antisecretory factor

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Biomarkers (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Inflammation (etiology, metabolism)
• Longitudinal Studies
• Neuropeptides (metabolism)
• Placenta (metabolism)
• Pregnancy
• Premature Birth (etiology, metabolism)
• Prospective Studies
• Young Adult