A role for CXCL13 (BCA-1) in pregnancy and intra-amniotic infection/inflammation.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

CXCL13 is a potent chemokine, produced by mature and recently recruited macrophages to sites of inflammation, which has antimicrobial and anti-angiogenic properties. The purpose of this study was to: (1) determine whether CXCL13 is present in maternal serum, umbilical cord blood, and amniotic fluid (AF); (2) to determine if AF concentration changes with intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI); and (3) to localize the production of CXCL13 in chorioamniotic membranes and umbilical cord.

Study design

A cross-sectional study on maternal serum was performed including patients in the following groups: (1) non-pregnant women (n = 20), (2) normal pregnant women (n = 49), (3) patients at term not in labor (n = 30), and (4) patients in spontaneous labor at term (n = 29)

SUBMITTER: Nhan-Chang CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3169890 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature