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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Alteration of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor in human myometrium during labor
Aimin Li1, Richard H Lee, Juan C Felix
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's and Children's Hospital, Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. aiminli@usc.edu
Objective:
Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) has been shown to have antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to verify its expression in human myometrium.
Study Design:
Myometrium was obtained at time of cesarean delivery with (n = 9) or without (n = 11) labor. Expression of SLPI was detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry. SLPI expression relative to nuclear factor-kappaB p65 subunit was compared between subjects. SLPI response to inflammatory mediators was studied in myometrial explants.
Results:
SLPI was predominantly localized in the nuclei of myocytes and colocalized with CD68(+) macrophages. The nuclear immunoreactivity of SLPI was increased after the onset of labor and was associated with increased nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB p65 subunit. Treatment with lipopolysaccharide, interleukin-1beta, or tumor necrosis factor-alpha increased SLPI messenger RNA and protein concentrations slightly in myometrium explants.
Conclusion:
SLPI was expressed in human myometrium and increased after the onset of labor.
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