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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Production and Testing of Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Mimics
Published on: April 10, 2026
Antimicrobial peptides and pregnancy
1MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK.
Abstract:
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small proteins produced by epithelial surfaces and inflammatory cells, which have broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. They are known to be important in a number of infectious and inflammatory conditions and have been shown to be present in a number of sites throughout the female reproductive tract. Inflammation and infection are associated with a number of complications of pregnancy including preterm labor, and AMPs may play a key role in maintaining and protecting pregnancy. The aim of this review is to describe the expression and function of AMPs in the pregnant female reproductive tract and their relation to preterm labor.
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