chorioamnionitis/protease

OBJECTIVE Neutrophil elastase (NE), a multifunctional serine protease stored in azurophilic granules of mature neutrophils, is capable of intracellular degradation of proteins during phagocytosis and extracellular degradation of connective tissue during an inflammatory process. Secretory leukocyte

Premature rupture of membranes and preterm delivery are associated with Ureaplasma infection. We hypothesized that Ureaplasma induced extracellular collagen fragmentation results in production of the tripeptide PGP (proline-glycine-proline), a neutrophil chemoattractant. PGP release from collagen

BACKGROUND Funisitis reflects the fetal systemic inflammatory response in premature infants. Macrophages and neutrophils have been identified as key elements in the inflammatory process of the lungs, and secrete proteases that cause the destruction of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Fibronectin (FN)

Antepartum bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy has been related to premature delivery, the recovery of microorganisms from amniotic fluid of women in premature labor with intact membranes, to histologic chorioamnionitis and to the recovery of microorganisms from the placenta or membranes.

We investigated the effects of nafamostat mesilate, a synthetic protease inhibitor clinically used for patients with pancreatitis or disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, on NO synthesis and apoptosis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated human trophoblasts. Nafamostat mesilate or aminoguanidine,

Pulmonary inflammation has a central role in the multifactorial and complex pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Pre- and postnatal factors such as chorioamnionitis, oxygen toxicity, mechanical ventilation and postnatal infections can induce and perpetuate an injurious and complex

Factors influencing pathogenicity of various microbes found in the female lower genital tract remain incompletely understood. Protease production by cervico/vaginal microorganisms may alter or inactivate a variety of proteins important in host defense and structural-functional integrity including

OBJECTIVE Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by excessive thrombin generation, which has been implicated in the multiple organ damage associated with the disease. The biological effects of thrombin on coagulation and inflammation are mediated by protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), a G

In spite of impressive advances in biochemistry and molecular biology, it has not yet been possible to fit the individual biochemical components of cervical ripening and dilatation to a uniform clinical moiety or to uncover any regulatory mechanisms. The production of interleukin-8 by activated

Introduction: To determine the levels of granzyme A in amniotic fluid in pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM), based on the presence of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and/or

The aetiology of preterm rupture of membranes is not yet completely understood. Local infections of the vagina and cervix have attracted special attention during the last years. Ascending infection with subsequent chorioamnionitis is a common complication of preterm rupture of membranes. Recognition

Epidemiological data suggest a strong association between chorioamnionitis and the development of chronic lung disease in preterm infants. Increased concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines present in the amniotic fluid and the systemic fetal circulation seem to be important mediators in the

Cell-free supernatant from formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-activated granulocytes causes a time- and concentration-dependent stimulation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in amnion cells. PGE2 concentration in the culture medium after 36 h treatment with granulocyte supernatant (from

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to define the spectrum, activity, and spatial distribution of antimicrobial peptides in vernix caseosa and amniotic fluid in the absence of clinical chorioamnionitis. METHODS Characterization of innate immune proteins in vernix and amniotic fluid obtained from