Protective Role of Heme Oxygenase-1 in Listeria monocytogenes-Induced Abortion
2011

Protective Role of Heme Oxygenase-1 in Listeria monocytogenes-Induced Abortion

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Tachibana Masato, Hashino Masanori, Nishida Takashi, Shimizu Takashi, Watarai Masahisa

Primary Institution: The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan

Hypothesis

The study investigates the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-XL) in preventing abortion induced by Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Conclusion

The study concludes that Listeria monocytogenes infection decreases HO-1 and Bcl-XL expression, leading to cell death in the placenta and resulting in infectious abortion.

Supporting Evidence

  • Listeria monocytogenes infection decreases HO-1 and Bcl-XL expression in trophoblast giant cells.
  • Treatment with cobalt protoporphyrin, which induces HO-1, inhibited infectious abortion.
  • HO-1 and Bcl-XL overexpression suppressed cell death induced by Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Takeaway

This study shows that a protein called HO-1 helps protect pregnant mice from losing their babies when they get infected with a germ called Listeria.

Methodology

The study involved infecting trophoblast giant cells and pregnant mice with Listeria monocytogenes and measuring the expression of HO-1 and Bcl-XL.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on the cellular mechanisms in vitro and may not fully represent the complex interactions in vivo.

Participant Demographics

Pregnant mice were used as the primary subjects in the study.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0025046

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