Study reveals link between antibodies and preterm birth.. and potential drug for prevention
Amman3 min read
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A recent scientific study has revealed an immune factor that may contribute to some cases of preterm birth, after researchers discovered the existence of antibodies that target a protein that plays an important role in regulating inflammation during pregnancy.
The results of the study, which included more than 2,000 pregnant women, showed elevated levels of these antibodies in women who gave birth before completing 37 weeks, compared to women whose pregnancies continued until the natural due date.
The study was published in the journal "Nature Immunology," where researchers pointed out that these antibodies can be detected in the early stages of pregnancy, which could make them a potential indicator of an increased risk of preterm birth.
How is the immune factor linked to the onset of labor?
The antibodies target a protein known as "IL-1RA," which works to limit the activity of an inflammatory molecule called "IL-1 beta," which is linked to stimulating uterine contractions.
According to the researchers' explanation, attacking the protein and disrupting its function may lead to increased inflammatory activity, providing conditions that could contribute to the start of labor before the completion of the pregnancy period.
The scientists tested this hypothesis through experiments on pregnant mice that were injected with antibodies targeting the protein, and the results revealed elevated levels of the inflammatory molecule and the appearance of signs of placental damage, similar to some changes recorded in women who experienced preterm birth.
Kineret.. a treatment option under investigation
The results open the door to studying the possibility of using the drug "Kineret," known for its effectiveness in treating some inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.
The drug contains a synthetic version of the "IL-1RA" protein, which works to inhibit inflammation, which prompted researchers to propose the possibility of using it to limit the effects associated with these antibodies.
However, this possibility is still within the framework of scientific research, as the drug's effectiveness or safety in preventing preterm birth during pregnancy has not yet been proven, which requires conducting more studies.
Discovery does not cover all cases of preterm birth
Despite the importance of the results, the researchers emphasized that the antibodies in question appeared in only a limited percentage of preterm birth cases, which means that there are other mechanisms and factors that contribute to this phenomenon.
The lead author of the study, Joe DeRisi, from the University of California, San Francisco, explained that the results provide a new understanding of the role of the immune system in some pregnancy cases that do not continue until the natural birth date.
The research team aspires to take advantage of this discovery in developing methods for early detection of women most at risk of preterm birth, in addition to exploring potential treatments that may help prevent some cases in the future.
