Expression and regulation of metallothioneins in myometrium and fetal membranes

M Lappas

Journal article

Expression and regulation of metallothioneins in myometrium and fetal membranes

M Lappas

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology | WILEY | Published : 2018

DOI: 10.1111/aji.13040

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Abstract

Problem: Metallothioneins (MTs) play important roles in regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and hormone signaling. These processes play a major role in labor at term and preterm. The aims of this study were to characterize (a) temporal- and labor-associated changes and (b) the effect of pro-inflammatory and pro-labor insults on the expression of MT1 isoforms, MT2A, MT3, and MT4 in fetal membranes and myometrium. Method of Study: The expression of MTs was assessed in fetal membranes and myometrium from nonlaboring and laboring women at preterm and term by RT-qPCR. Tissue explants were used to assess the effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines and Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands on the ex..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Martha Lappas Author

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Grants

Awarded by Norman Beischer Medical Research Foundation

Funding Acknowledgements

Associate Professor Martha Lappas is supported by a Career Development Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC; grant no. 1047025) and a Research Fellowship from The University of Melbourne. Funding for this study was provided by the NHMRC (grant no. 1058786), Norman Beischer Medical Research Foundation, the University of Melbourne, and the Mercy Research Foundation.