New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Particle clusters named a culprit in premature birth

Date:
November 10, 2016
Source:
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Summary:
A new study of more than 100 pregnant women pinpoints the abnormal buildup of mineral-protein clusters in amniotic fluid (AF) as a potential culprit in premature birth. The findings open the door to developing therapies or dietary supplements that block the formation of these particles to prevent preterm birth, a leading cause of infant death and disability. Preterm birth is often preceded by premature rupture of fetal membranes, but without an identifiable cause (such as infection or inflammation).
Share:
FULL STORY

A new study of more than 100 pregnant women pinpoints the abnormal buildup of mineral-protein clusters in amniotic fluid (AF) as a potential culprit in premature birth. The findings open the door to developing therapies or dietary supplements that block the formation of these particles to prevent preterm birth, a leading cause of infant death and disability. Preterm birth is often preceded by premature rupture of fetal membranes, but without an identifiable cause (such as infection or inflammation).

In many pregnant women, calcified plaques can be detected in the term or preterm placenta, but their role in premature birth remains elusive. Lydia Shook and colleagues zeroed in on calciprotein particles (CPPs), mineral-protein complexes that have been previously linked to other health complications, including arthritis, atherosclerosis, and aneurism.

The researchers analyzed the AF and fetal membranes from study participants who experienced spontaneous preterm birth. They detected greater levels of calcified deposits and reduced levels of a protein that inhibits calcification in individuals with premature membrane rupture compared to a control group that underwent term cesarean sections.

Shook et al. discovered the AF from the preterm birth cohort formed CPP aggregates in culture and depleted a number of essential AF proteins. Furthermore, exposure to soluble CPP in vitro impaired the structure and function of fetal membrane samples from women who carried to term, pointing to the particles' toxicity.

Future investigations will need to identify triggers that prematurely initiate CPP formation, the authors say.


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Association for the Advancement of Science. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. L. L. Shook, C. S. Buhimschi, A. T. Dulay, M. E. McCarthy, J. T. Hardy, C. M. Duzyj Buniak, G. Zhao, I. A. Buhimschi. Calciprotein particles as potential etiologic agents of idiopathic preterm birth. Science Translational Medicine, 2016; 8 (364): 364ra154 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aah4707

Cite This Page:

American Association for the Advancement of Science. "Particle clusters named a culprit in premature birth." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 November 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161110154645.htm>.
American Association for the Advancement of Science. (2016, November 10). Particle clusters named a culprit in premature birth. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161110154645.htm
American Association for the Advancement of Science. "Particle clusters named a culprit in premature birth." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161110154645.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES