Characterization of an Adapted Murine Model of Intrauterine Inflammation–Induced Preterm Birth

Hannah C. Zierden, Jairo I. Ortiz Ortiz, Peter Dimitrion, Victoria Laney, Sabrine Bensouda, Nicole M. Anders, Morgan Scardina, Thuy Hoang, Brigitte M. Ronnett, Justin Hanes, Irina Burd, Mala Mahendroo, Laura M. Ensign

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Preterm birth (PTB) affects nearly 15 million infants each year. Of these PTBs, >25% are a result of inflammation or infection. Animal models have improved our understanding of the mechanisms leading to PTB. Prior work has described induction of intrauterine inflammation in mice with a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Herein, we have improved the reproducibility and potency of LPS in the model using two injections distal to the cervix. An in vivo imaging system revealed more uniform distribution of Evans Blue Dye using a double distal injection (DDI) approach compared with a single proximal injection (SPI). Endotoxin concentrations in vaginal lavage fluid from SPI dams were significantly higher than from DDI dams. At equivalent LPS doses, DDI consistently induced more PTB than SPI, and DDI showed a linear dose-response, whereas SPI did not. Gene expression in myometrial tissue revealed increased levels of inflammatory markers in dams that received LPS DDI compared with LPS SPI. The SPI group showed more significant overexpression in cervical remodeling genes, likely due to the leakage of LPS from the uterine horns through the cervix. The more reliable PTB induction and uniform uterine exposure provided by this new model will be useful for further studying fetal outcomes and potential therapeutics for the prevention of inflammation-induced PTB.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)295-305
Number of pages11
JournalAmerican Journal of Pathology
Volume190
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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