Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
08:19
Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Low abundance plasma proteins in labour.
Wei Yuan1, Kate Heesom, Robert Phillips
1School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Whitson Street, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK.
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|August 4, 2012
Summary
Understanding human parturition is crucial for managing preterm and post-term births. This study identified key protein changes in placental plasma, particularly immune responses, offering insights into labor mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Proteomics
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Millions of births are affected by prematurity or difficult deliveries, leading to high perinatal mortality and morbidity.
- A limited understanding of human parturition mechanisms hinders effective management of preterm and post-term births.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate protein expression changes in placental blood plasma related to labor and delivery.
- To elucidate the fundamental mechanisms of human parturition, irrespective of labor trigger origin (maternal or fetal).
Main Methods:
- Proteomic analysis of placental intervillous plasma from women undergoing spontaneous or induced labor, with vaginal or cesarean deliveries.
- Comparison of protein profiles before and after labor across different delivery modes.
Main Results:
- Identified 33 genes with significantly altered protein expression profiles related to labor and delivery.
- Observed major changes in proteins involved in immune and defense responses during labor.
- Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 homeobox A (HNF1A) identified as a shared protein in labor mechanisms.
- Detected changes in apolipoproteins (e.g., apolipoprotein A-IV, APOE) in placental and maternal plasma.
Conclusions:
- Significant protein alterations in placental plasma are associated with human parturition.
- Immune and defense response pathways play a critical role in labor mechanisms.
- Identified specific proteins and pathways that could be targeted for improving obstetric outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drug Distribution: Plasma Protein Binding
Drugs predominantly attach to plasma proteins, with only a small percentage remaining unbound. The unbound portion can be calculated as one minus the bound fraction. Acidic drugs form large, inactive complexes by reversibly binding to plasma albumin, which prevents them from diffusing across biological barriers. These drug-protein complexes act as reservoirs for the drugs. As the concentration of unbound drugs decreases, these complexes quickly dissociate to release the free drug, maintaining...
01:24Composition of Blood Plasma
Blood plasma is a fluid that contains approximately 92% water and 8% solutes. The solutes include various types of proteins, which constitute about 7% of the total solutes in the plasma. The high-molecular-weight proteins—albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen—are essential to plasma function. Albumins, making up about 60% of the plasma proteins, maintain the osmotic balance within blood vessels by preventing excessive water leakage. Additionally, albumins serve as carrier proteins, binding to...
01:25Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
Pleural effusion is an abnormal fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity, a narrow space between the lungs and the chest wall. It is not a disease per se but rather a symptom or indication of an underlying disease. In normal circumstances, this space contains a small amount of fluid (5 to 15 mL), a lubricant facilitating the non-frictional movement of the pleural surfaces.
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's criteria,...
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's criteria,...
01:29Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
01:30Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...