Type I Interferon Regulates the Placental Inflammatory Response to Bacteria and is Targeted by Virus: Mechanism of Polymicrobial Infection-Induced Preterm Birth

摘要

ProblemPreterm birth (PTB) affects approximately 12% of pregnancies and at least 50% of cases have no known risk factors. We hypothesize that subclinical viral infections of the placenta are a factor sensitizing women to intrauterine bacterial infection. Specifically, we propose that viral-induced placental IFN- inhibition results in a robust inflammatory response to low concentrations of bacteria.