Lipopolysaccharide and TNF-α Activate the Nuclear Factor Kappa B Pathway in the Human Placental JEG-3 Cells

Abstract

Up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and prostaglandins is a critical factor driving human term labour and inflammation-associated preterm labour. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is activated in response to a number of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The aim of this study was (i) to investigate if TNF-α and LPS activate the NF-κB pathway; and (ii) to use short interfering RNA (siRNA) against inhibitor κB kinase (IKK)-β to confirm the role of the NF-κB pathway in the regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators in human placental JEG-3 cells. JEG-3 cells (3 independent experiments) were (i) incubated in the presence or absenc..