Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

482
The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
482
Introduction to Innate and Adaptive Immunity01:21

Introduction to Innate and Adaptive Immunity

5.7K
The human immune system is a complex defense mechanism that protects the body from harmful pathogens and foreign substances. It comprises two crucial components: innate and adaptive immunity.
Innate immunity is the body's natural, nonspecific defense system that acts quickly to protect against pathogens. It incorporates physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes and cellular elements such as phagocytes and natural killer cells. This part of our immune system provides an immediate,...
5.7K
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

1.6K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
1.6K
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

74.7K
Overview
74.7K
What is the Immune System?01:38

What is the Immune System?

118.1K
Overview
118.1K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

1.0K
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
1.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Parent and professional experiences of a clinical trial of prenatal and postnatal stem cell therapy for severe osteogenesis imperfecta.

European journal of human genetics : EJHG·2026
Same author

Prognostic value of cervical length for spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic women with singleton pregnancy: An individual participant data meta-analysis.

PLoS medicine·2026
Same author

Surgeons' Perceptions on the Utility of a Conceptual Novel Force Sensor at the Surgeon-Tool Interface: Formative Interview Study.

JMIR formative research·2026
Same author

Complement and neutrophils are actively involved at the cervicovaginal interface in cases of adverse microbial composition, cervical shortening and spontaneous preterm birth.

NPJ biofilms and microbiomes·2026
Same author

Prediction of preterm birth using 3D volume cesarean scar morphology in pregnant women with previous advanced labor cesarean delivery.

Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica·2026
Same author

CD138 expression in the endometrium associates with endometrial timing and inflammatory status but not microbiota composition.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
07:51

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface

Published on: May 21, 2015

17.5K

Microbial-driven preterm labour involves crosstalk between the innate and adaptive immune response.

Denise Chan1, Phillip R Bennett1,2, Yun S Lee1,2

  • 1Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK.

Nature Communications
|February 22, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Vaginal bacteria imbalances and high diversity increase spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) risk by activating the complement system. This suggests new treatments targeting the complement system and vaginal microbiota could prevent sPTB.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
08:19

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface

Published on: May 21, 2015

16.2K
A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
08:50

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

3.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
07:51

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface

Published on: May 21, 2015

17.5K
Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
08:19

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface

Published on: May 21, 2015

16.2K
A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
08:50

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

3.9K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Obstetrics

Background:

  • Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is a leading cause of neonatal mortality.
  • Existing studies show associations between vaginal microbiota and sPTB but lack mechanistic understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causative factors of sPTB by integrating vaginal microbiota and cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) immunophenotype data.
  • To elucidate the role of the immune system, particularly the complement system, in microbial-driven sPTB.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal collection of vaginal microbiota and CVF immunophenotype data from 133 high-risk women.
  • Integration of multi-omics data to identify correlations between microbial composition, immune markers, and sPTB outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Depletion of Lactobacillus species and increased bacterial diversity were linked to elevated levels of mannose binding lectin (MBL), immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG), complement components (C3b, C5), and cytokines (IL-8, IL-6, IL-1β).
  • These changes correlated with an increased risk of sPTB.
  • Cervical shortening was associated with Lactobacillus iners and elevated IgM, C3b, C5, C5a, and IL-6.

Conclusions:

  • The complement system plays a significant role in microbial-driven sPTB.
  • These findings provide a scientific basis for developing novel therapeutics, including live biotherapeutics and complement inhibitors, to prevent sPTB.