RAF1 is increased in labouring myometrium and modulates inflammation-induced pro-labour mediators

Abstract

Inflammation plays a central role in the terminal process of human labour and delivery, including myometrial contractions. RAF1 protooncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase (RAF1) can activate ERK (official gene symbol MAPK1) and/or nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) to regulate genes involved in inflammation. There are, however, no studies on the role of RAF1 in the processes of human labour and delivery. Thus, the aims of this study were to determine the effect of i) human labour and pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1 beta (IL1B) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha on RAF1 protein expression in myometrium and ii) siRNA knockdown of RAF1 on proinflammatory and pro-labour mediators in ..