Leveraging bioengineering to assess cellular functions and communication within human fetal membranes. (18th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eastman, Alison J.; Noble, Kristen N.; Pensabene, Virginia; Aronoff, David M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine. Volume 35:Number 14(2022)
• Page Start: 2795
• Page End: 2807
• Publication Date: 2022-07-18
• Subjects: Organ-on-chip -- fetal membrane -- immunology -- preterm prelabor rupture of membranes -- preterm birth; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Perinatology -- Periodicals; Infants (Newborn) -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; 618.2
• DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1802716
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-7058

Abstract

Abstract: The fetal membranes enclose the growing fetus and amniotic fluid. Preterm prelabor rupture of fetal membranes is a leading cause of preterm birth. Fetal membranes are composed of many different cell types, both structural and immune. These cells must coordinate functions for tensile strength and membrane integrity to contain the growing fetus and amniotic fluid. They must also balance immune responses to pathogens with maintaining maternal-fetal tolerance. Perturbation of this equilibrium can lead to preterm premature rupture of membranes without labor. In this review, we describe the formation of the fetal membranes to orient the reader, discuss some of the common forms of communication between the cell types of the fetal membranes, and delve into the methods used to tease apart this paracrine signaling within the membranes, including emerging technologies such as organ-on-chip models of membrane immunobiology.