Preterm birth (PTB, delivery <37 weeks gestation) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in infants less than one year of age, yet the mechanism for preterm birth is not well understood. It is evident that inflammation of the cervix is a proximate cause for preterm labor and that progesterone is essential for maintenance of normal pregnancy. This study aimed to better understand the role of progesterone in the biomechanical changes that occur in cervical fibroblasts during labor and cervical ripening. To do so, collagen type I contraction assays were used as cellular models to determine the effects of progesterone and cytokines on collagen ECM remodeling) contraction. Cervical fibroblasts were seeded into collagen type I gels and treated with cytokines (Interleukin 1 Beta (IL-1β), Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), or Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α)), progesterone, or both at either 0.2 ng/mL or 2.0 ng/mL for seven days. The change in area of the gels was measured daily with image software ImageJ, to determine the effects of the treatments on the contraction efforts of the fibroblasts. Initial) results of this study indicate that the presence of progesterone enhanced the contractility of the collagen gels. These data suggest that progesterone does in fact influence the mechanical changes of the cervical cells and that it does not negate the effects of the inflammatory cytokines. These studies are the first attempt to examine how cytokines and progesterone can influence the fibroblasts as preparation for labor and birth occurs. With progesterone being a current treatment method for PTB. By better understanding the mechanism behind preterm birth and the role of progesterone we can begin to devise a strategy to delay cervical ripening and pre term birth.March of DimesNo embargoAcademic Major: Biomedical Engineerin
