New Scientist NL · Science

Immune Cells Play Key Role in Inducing Labor

Researchers have discovered that an influx of immune cells into the uterus is essential for inducing contractions during childbirth. These cells provide energy to uterine muscles, leading to contractions and initiating labor.

Scientists suspect that the immune system initiates labor. Immune cells, specifically macrophages, attach to muscle cells in the uterus and transport mitochondria to them. These provide the necessary energy for contractions.

Previous research already showed that the uterus releases signaling molecules that attract immune cells, monocytes, to the uterus. There, they transform into macrophages.

In the new research, macrophages were brought together with uterine muscle cells. The macrophages formed structures that attached to muscle cells and delivered mitochondria, leading to an increase in energy (ATP) in the muscle cells.

The influx of mitochondria also stimulates the breakdown of progesterone in the uterine muscle cells. A decrease in this hormone is crucial for activating labor.

This mechanism explains how labor begins in humans, as progesterone in the blood does not decrease, but likely does so locally in the uterine muscle tissues.

These insights could lead to new treatments to prevent preterm births. A studied drug, a chemokine inhibitor, prevents the supply of monocytes and has shown success in macaques.

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