Open AccessExpression and function of macrophage‐inducible C‐type lectin (Mincle) in inflammation driven parturition in fetal membranes and myometrium
Author(s) -
Lim R.,
Lappas M.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/cei.13281
Subject(s) - proinflammatory cytokine , inflammation , myometrium , biology , chemokine , immunology , lipopolysaccharide , tumor necrosis factor alpha , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , uterus
Summary The pivotal role of inflammatory processes in human parturition is well known, but not completely understood. We have performed a study to examine the role of macrophage‐inducible C‐type lectin (Mincle) in inflammation‐associated parturition. Using human samples, we show that spontaneous labour is associated with up‐regulated Mincle expression in the myometrium and fetal membranes. Mincle expression was also increased in fetal membranes and myometrium in the presence of pro‐labour mediators, the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1B and tumour necrosis factor (TNF), and Toll‐like receptor (TLR) ligands fsl‐1, poly(I:C), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and flagellin. These clinical studies are supported by mouse studies, where an inflammatory challenge in a mouse model of preterm birth increased Mincle expression in the uterus. Importantly, elimination of Mincle decreased the effectiveness of proinflammatory cytokines and TLR ligands to induce the expression of pro‐labour mediators; namely, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, contraction‐associated proteins and prostaglandins, and extracellular matrix remodelling enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases. The data presented in this study suggest that Mincle is required when inflammatory activation precipitates parturition.