Fetal T Cell Activation in the Amniotic Cavity during Preterm Labor: A Potential Mechanism for a Subset of Idiopathic Preterm Birth.

ABSTRACT: Prematurity is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. In most cases, preterm birth is preceded by spontaneous preterm labor, a syndrome that is associated with intra-amniotic inflammation, the most studied etiology. However, the remaining etiologies of preterm labor are poorly understood; therefore, most preterm births are categorized as idiopathic. In this study, we provide evidence showing that the fetal immune system undergoes premature activation in women with preterm labor without intra-amniotic inflammation, providing a potential new mechanism of disease for some cases of idiopathic preterm birth. First, we showed that fetal T cells are a predominant leukocyte population in amniotic fluid during preterm gestations. Interestingly, only fetal CD4⁺

SUBMITTER: Gomez-Lopez N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6799993 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature