Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce preterm labor by inhibiting trophoblast cathepsin S and inflammasome activation.

Preterm labor is associated with inflammation and infection. The mechanisms underlying the role of omega-3 fatty acid in inflammasome activation and prevention of preterm labor remain unknown. We hypothesized that omega-3 fatty acid can reduce the rate of preterm birth induced by infection and trophoblast inflammation.

Distinct Responses of Stem Cells to Telomere Uncapping-A Potential Strategy to Improve the Safety of Cell Therapy.

In most human somatic cells, the lack of telomerase activity results in progressive telomere shortening during each cell division. Eventually, DNA damage responses triggered by critically short telomeres induce an irreversible cell cycle arrest termed replicative senescence. However, the cellular responses of human pluripotent stem cells to telomere uncapping remain unknown.

Second-trimester plasma mannose-binding lectin levels and risk of preterm birth.

Objective: To investigate whether mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene polymorphisms and low levels of second-trimester plasma MBL were significant risk factors for preterm birth in Taiwanese women.

Methods: We conducted a prospective longitudinal study to explore the associations of MBL2 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and plasma MBL levels between preterm birth and term controls. Blood samples were collected at 16-23 weeks of gestation, and were divided into 51 mothers with preterm births and 255 term controls after delivery.

Nanoparticles can cross mouse placenta and induce trophoblast apoptosis.

Introduction: The effects of nanoparticles on pregnancy remain unclear. In this study, we investigate whether nanoparticles of a specific size can cross the placenta and affect trophoblast function.

Methods: Fluorescently labelled carboxylate-modified polystyrene beads with diameters of 20, 40, 100, 200, and 500 nm were chosen as model particles.

Cdk1 regulates the temporal recruitment of telomerase and Cdc13-Stn1-Ten1 complex for telomere replication.

In budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), the cell cycle-dependent telomere elongation by telomerase is controlled by the cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1). The telomere length homeostasis is balanced between telomerase-unextendable and telomerase-extendable states that both require Cdc13. The recruitment of telomerase complex by Cdc13 promotes telomere elongation, while the formation of Cdc13-Stn1-Ten1 (CST) complex at the telomere blocks telomere elongation by telomerase.

RINT-1 serves as a tumor suppressor and maintains Golgi dynamics and centrosome integrity for cell survival.

Faithful mitotic partitioning of the Golgi apparatus and the centrosome is critical for proper cell division. Although these two cytoplasmic organelles are probably coordinated during cell division, supporting evidence of this coordination is still largely lacking. Here, we show that the RAD50-interacting protein, RINT-1, is localized at the Golgi apparatus and the centrosome in addition to the endoplasmic reticulum.