Differential expression of CXC chemokines CXCL10 and CXCL12 in term and pre-term neonates and their mothers.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Pre-term delivery is a mostly unknown frequent disorder worldwide. This project aimed to investigate the circulating levels of CXCL12 (SDF-1) and CXCL10 (IP-10) in cord blood of term and pre-term delivered fetuses and their corresponding mothers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cord and peripheral blood samples were collected from 50 pre-term and 50 term infants and their mothers. Serum levels of CXCL12 and CXCL10 were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

The findings of this study indicated that the circulating levels of CXCL10 were elevated in mothers bearing pre-term infants, while CXCL12 was only increased in pre-term infants.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that the pathophysiological status of both mother and infant are involved in prematurity. Moreover, these findings suggest an inflammatory response in pre-term labor, which probably is controlled by inducible chemokines such as CXCL10.