Epigenetic regulation of inflammatory genes in the fetal membranes: role in term and preterm birth

早产是新生儿死亡的主要原因，也是造成婴儿残疾的最大因素。在这里，我们提出研究，以确定机制，控制怀孕的长度，并在早产中断。具体来说，我们将确定是什么原因导致怀孕期间子宫中促进分娩的炎症基因受到抑制，以及是什么在分娩时激活它们。我们将确定新的干预目标，以阻止或预防早产。

Preterm birth is the leading cause of death among newborns and the biggest contributor to disability among infants. Here we propose research to define the mechanism that controls the length of pregnancy and is disrupted in preterm birth. Specifically, we will determine what causes the repression of the labour-promoting inflammatory genes in the uterus during pregnancy and what activates them at labour. We will identify new targets for interventions to block or prevent preterm birth.