Participation of endocannabinoid system (ECS) in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced preterm delivery model

BARIANI, MV; DOMÍNGUEZ RUBIO, AP; VERCELLI, CA; CELLA, M; FRANCHI, AM; AISEMBERG, J

Foz de Iguazú

Congreso; V Latin American Symposium on Maternal Fetal Interaction & Placenta and IV Latin American Chapter of the American Society for Reproductive Immunology; 2013

Latinamerican Society for Reproductive Immunology

  Prematurity is the leading cause of perinatal morbi-mortality, being infections responsible for one third of preterm births. Endocannabinoids are unsaturated fatty acids that act as endogenous ligands for cannabinoid receptors. We developed a LPS-induced preterm delivery model in BALB/c female mice in day 15 of gestation. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible changes in the mRNA and protein expression in some components of the ECS (CB1, CB2, NAPE-PLD and FAAH). We observed a diminution in FAAH and CB2 mRNA levels in uterus of pregnant mice treated with LPS. However, we did not find changes in protein expression of the ECS. We also investigated the relationship between uterine prostaglandins levels and ECS. The inhibition of both cannabinoid receptors produced a decrease of uterine F2α prostaglandin levels in females with preterm labor. This work demonstrates the ECS would be participating in the process that triggers preterm delivery.