Marco Torella1, Giulia Bellini2, Francesca Punzo3, Maura Argenziano2, Antonio Schiattarella4, Domenico Labriola1, Maria T Schettino1, Domenico Ambrosio1, Franco P Ammaturo1, Pasquale De Franciscis1. 1. Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, Naples, Italy. 2. Department of Experimental Medicine, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, Naples, Italy. 3. Section of Pediatrics, Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, Naples, Italy. 4. Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, Naples, Italy - aschiattarella@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Endocannabinoids/endovanilloid (EC/EV) system and inflammation are recognized as key regulators of cell-signaling pathways in female reproduction. The knowledge of predictive biomarkers involved in preterm birth (PTB) represents an important goal to make an early diagnosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of EC/EV system and inflammation in human delivery, in placental samples from spontaneous deliveries. METHODS: We examined the expression of genes encoding for the components of EC/EV system (CB1, CB2, TRPV1, MAGL, FAAH, DAGL, NAPE-PLD) and for inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) with qRT-PCR techniques, in human placental samples from preterm delivery (at 30 and at 34 weeks) compared to term delivery (40 weeks, control group). RESULTS: We found a marked increase of CB1, anandamide, and inflammatory cytokines, mainly TNF-α, together with TRPV1 down-regulation in term delivery group, compared to preterm groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlighted the emergent pivotal role of the EC/EV system and inflammation in spontaneous term delivery and provided the framework for future studies that investigate the CB1/TRPV1 crosstalk in preterm birth. Particularly, we found a link between the stimulation of CB1 receptors and the antagonism of TRPV1 channels, that could be used in PTB prevention, through selected molecules.
BACKGROUND:Endocannabinoids/endovanilloid (EC/EV) system and inflammation are recognized as key regulators of cell-signaling pathways in female reproduction. The knowledge of predictive biomarkers involved in preterm birth (PTB) represents an important goal to make an early diagnosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of EC/EV system and inflammation in human delivery, in placental samples from spontaneous deliveries. METHODS: We examined the expression of genes encoding for the components of EC/EV system (CB1, CB2, TRPV1, MAGL, FAAH, DAGL, NAPE-PLD) and for inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) with qRT-PCR techniques, in human placental samples from preterm delivery (at 30 and at 34 weeks) compared to term delivery (40 weeks, control group). RESULTS: We found a marked increase of CB1, anandamide, and inflammatory cytokines, mainly TNF-α, together with TRPV1 down-regulation in term delivery group, compared to preterm groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlighted the emergent pivotal role of the EC/EV system and inflammation in spontaneous term delivery and provided the framework for future studies that investigate the CB1/TRPV1 crosstalk in preterm birth. Particularly, we found a link between the stimulation of CB1 receptors and the antagonism of TRPV1 channels, that could be used in PTB prevention, through selected molecules.
Authors: Howard Hao Lee; Chang-Ching Yeh; Szu-Ting Yang; Chia-Hao Liu; Yi-Jen Chen; Peng-Hui Wang Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-04-01 Impact factor: 3.390