D uring infection, the host produces several proinflammatory cytokines that have been
implicated as playing a critical role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The production of
these cytokines is initiated by the organisms themselves (phagocytosis) or by soluble
products of the organisms: for example, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxins of
Gramnegative bacteria, the protein exotoxins of Grampositive bacteria, and the cell-wall
glycopeptides such as teichoic acids and muramyl peptides. Of course, LPS is by far the …

Cervical ripening is necessary for successful delivery. Since cytokines are believed to be
involved in this process, the aim of this study was to investigate possible changes in the
mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-12,
IL-18) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) in the human cervix during
pregnancy, term and preterm labor. Cervical biopsies were taken from 59 women: 21 at
preterm labor, 24 at term labor, 10 at term not in labor and 4 from non-pregnant women …