TLR9 Provokes Inflammation in Response to Fetal DNA
TLR9 Provokes Inflammation in Response to Fetal DNA
In this study, we show that circulating fetal DNA, which is elevated in pregnancies complicated by preterm labor or preeclampsia, triggers an inflammatory reaction that results in spontaneous preterm birth...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22544937
So this is an animal study, but we also have toll-like receptors - TLR9 stands for toll-like receptor 9 - so even though preeclampsia is a human disease this could still be a mechanism in play. Two very interesting things here: one, in the "knockout" mice, where they weren't expressing the relevant genes, fetal DNA did not trigger the inflammatory response. And two, chloroquine blocks the toll-like receptors in question.
Chloroquine is a very, very old malaria drug, and I know nothing about its use in pregnant women. IIRC it isn't used so much these days because malaria is now resistant to it...? Any lurking biologists/public health people please correct me!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22544937
So this is an animal study, but we also have toll-like receptors - TLR9 stands for toll-like receptor 9 - so even though preeclampsia is a human disease this could still be a mechanism in play. Two very interesting things here: one, in the "knockout" mice, where they weren't expressing the relevant genes, fetal DNA did not trigger the inflammatory response. And two, chloroquine blocks the toll-like receptors in question.
Chloroquine is a very, very old malaria drug, and I know nothing about its use in pregnant women. IIRC it isn't used so much these days because malaria is now resistant to it...? Any lurking biologists/public health people please correct me!
Science! The articles you don't want to miss:
The Preeclampsia Puzzle (New Yorker) and Silent Struggle: A New Theory of Pregnancy (New York Times)
Looking for recent articles and studies?
A chance to participate in research? For us on Facebook or Twitter?
Caryn, @carynjrogers, who is not a doctor and who talks about science stuff *way* too much
DS Oscar born by emergent C-section at 34 weeks for fetal indicators, due to severe PE
DD Bridget born by C-section after water broke at 39 weeks after a healthy pregnancy
The Preeclampsia Puzzle (New Yorker) and Silent Struggle: A New Theory of Pregnancy (New York Times)
Looking for recent articles and studies?
A chance to participate in research? For us on Facebook or Twitter?
Caryn, @carynjrogers, who is not a doctor and who talks about science stuff *way* too much
DS Oscar born by emergent C-section at 34 weeks for fetal indicators, due to severe PE
DD Bridget born by C-section after water broke at 39 weeks after a healthy pregnancy
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