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Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
A critical role of interleukin-1 in preterm labor
Mathieu Nadeau-Vallée1, Dima Obari2, Christiane Quiniou3
1Departments of Pediatrics, Ophthalmology and Pharmacology, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal H3T 1C5, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Université de Montréal, Montréal H3C 3J7, Canada.
Insights
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays a key role in preterm birth, a major cause of infant mortality. Novel IL-1 therapies and diagnostics show promise for preventing premature labor and improving neonatal outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Immunology
- Neonatal health
Background:
- Preterm birth (PTB) is a significant global health issue linked to inflammation.
- Pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin-1 (IL-1), are implicated in initiating preterm labor.
- Existing IL-1 therapies lack efficacy in preclinical models of PTB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review IL-1's role in PTB across animal and human studies.
- To highlight emerging IL-1-targeting therapies and diagnostic tools.
- To advocate for the commercialization and translation of these advancements.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of literature on IL-1 and PTB.
- Analysis of preclinical and clinical data for IL-1 therapeutics.
- Evaluation of diagnostic test potential for PTB.
Main Results:
- IL-1 is a critical mediator in the inflammatory cascade leading to PTB.
- Novel IL-1 inhibitors and targeted treatments demonstrate potential efficacy.
- New diagnostic approaches may enable earlier intervention for PTB.
Conclusions:
- Targeting IL-1 pathways offers a promising therapeutic strategy for PTB.
- Further development and translation of IL-1-based interventions are crucial.
- Accelerating commercialization can expedite clinical application and reduce PTB burden.
Abstract:
Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide, and represents a heavy economic and social burden. Despite its broad etiology, PTB has been firmly linked to inflammatory processes. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are produced in gestational tissues in response to stressors and can prematurely induce uterine activation, which precedes the onset of preterm labor. Of all cytokines implicated, interleukin (IL)-1 has been largely studied, revealing a central role in preterm labor. However, currently approved IL-1-targeting therapies have failed to show expected efficacy in pre-clinical studies of preterm labor. Herein, we (a) summarize animal and human studies in which IL-1 or IL-1-targeting therapeutics are implicated with preterm labor, (b) focus on novel IL-1-targeting therapies and diagnostic tests, and (c) develop the case for commercialization and translation means to hasten their development.
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