Journal of International Reproductive Health/Family Planning ›› 2021, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (5): 427-430.doi: 10.12280/gjszjk.20210110

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Advances in the Role of IL-33 in Pregnancy-Related Diseases

CAO Xiao-wan, CHEN Li, SONG Zhen-zhen, ZHANG Guo-ying()   

  1. Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
  • Received:2021-03-11 Published:2021-09-15 Online:2021-09-29
  • Contact: ZHANG Guo-ying E-mail:1149881120@qq.com

Abstract:

Interleukin 33 (IL-33) belongs to the IL-1β family and is a newly discovered nuclear localization factor with dual anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory effects. Studies have shown that IL-33 can maintain normal pregnancy by participating in the process of regulating maternal-fetal immune tolerance. At the same time, IL-33 plays an important role in a variety of pregnancy-related diseases. Abnormal expression or dysfunction of IL-33 in early pregnancy can lead to miscarriage. The decrease of IL-33 in the placenta leads to trophoblast dysfunction, which is related to poor placental function of preeclampsia patients. Decreased expression of IL-33 or dysfunction in the decidua in the middle and late stages of pregnancy plays an important role in the occurrence and development of preterm birth. Although IL-33 can trigger calcium flux in a variety of cells and increase the level of calcium ions in cells, and calcium ions play an important role in uterine smooth muscle contraction, the research on IL-33 in uterine smooth muscle has not been in-depth. The occurrence of preterm birth is ultimately accompanied by uterine smooth muscle contraction, therefore, study on the role of IL-33 in pregnancy-related diseases and the contraction of smooth muscle cells will help to further study the mechanism of occurrence and development of preterm birth, thereby providing new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of preterm birth.

Key words: Interleukin-33, Muscle cells, Calcium channels, Abortion, habitual, Pre-eclampsia