Placental Neurokinin B mRNA Expression Increases at Preterm Labor

Abstract Introduction Neurokinin B (NKB) is a neuropeptide belonging to the family of tachykinins-related peptides that elicits contractility of human myometrial strips in vitro. The present study evaluates whether placental mRNA and peptide expression of NKB change in women at preterm labor. Method...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Placenta (Eastbourne) 2007-10, Vol.28 (10), p.1020-1023
Main Authors: Torricelli, M, Giovannelli, A, Leucci, E, Florio, P, De Falco, G, Torres, P.B, Reis, F.M, Leoncini, L, Petraglia, F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cross-Sectional Studies
Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Internal Medicine
Labor, Obstetric - physiology
Neurokinin B - biosynthesis
Neurokinin B - genetics
NKB
Obstetric Labor, Premature - physiopathology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Placenta - physiopathology
Pregnancy
Preterm labor
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
Tachykinins
Term labor
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Summary:Abstract Introduction Neurokinin B (NKB) is a neuropeptide belonging to the family of tachykinins-related peptides that elicits contractility of human myometrial strips in vitro. The present study evaluates whether placental mRNA and peptide expression of NKB change in women at preterm labor. Methods A group of 26 women with singleton pregnancies were enrolled in the study. Placental tissue specimens were collected from pregnant women delivering after elective cesarean section, after labor at term, or after preterm labor. Changes in placental NKB mRNA and protein expression were evaluated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis and by immunofluorescence respectively. Results Placental mRNA expression of NKB was significantly higher after term and preterm labor ( P < 0.001) than cesarean section, and highest after preterm labor. Immunofluorescent staining in placentas from preterm or term labor was more intense than after cesarean section ( P < 0.001). In particular, NKB protein expression was higher in placentas collected after preterm labor than those collected after term labor. Discussion Neurokinin B mRNA and protein are highly expressed in placenta at term and preterm labor; thus, the involvement of this neuropeptide in the events cascade leading to parturition may be suggested.
ISSN:0143-4004
1532-3102
DOI:10.1016/j.placenta.2007.04.006