Anti-inflammatory mediators as physiological and pharmacological regulators of parturition

Abstract

Increasing evidence highlights parturition as an inflammatory event characterized by leukocyte influx and proinflammatory mediator production in the intrauterine environment. While the mechanisms responsible for the initiation of this inflammatory cascade are not well understood, it is clear that these inflammatory events must be tightly regulated as the premature activation of these inflammatory signals is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm labor, which is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. In this article we highlight the importance of anti-inflammatory factors in regulating the inflammatory events surrounding parturition and discuss the use of anti-inflammatory mediators as potential novel therapeutic agents in the treatment of inflammation-induced preterm labor.

Keywords::

• anti-inflammatory
• inflammation
• parturition
• preterm labor
• resolution

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Ronnie Grant and Tim Edgeler for assistance with graphics.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This research has been supported by PiggyBank Kids (Sara F Rinaldi and Jane E Norman), the Medical Research Council (James L Hutchinson, Adriano G Rossi and Jane E Norman) and Tommy’s (Jane E Norman). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.