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

Abstract

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.