Preterm birth refers to a parturition before 37 gestational weeks. It clinically presents as either preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The etiology of preterm birth is highly heterogenous and likely results in part from gene-environmental interaction. Pathogenically, the environmental factors include, but are not limited to, infection and inflammation, vascular disorder, decidual senescence, uterine overdistension, cervical disease, placental dysfunction, psychological stress, and any other factors that may breakdown maternal-fetal tolerance.
Translational research is a centerpiece for prevention and intervention of preterm birth. Identification of biomarkers, implementation of clinical trials of surgical and non-surgical intervention, and exploration of pathogenesis associated with preterm birth is progressing rapidly. Translational research with advanced technology involving the integration of diverse fields such as genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, microbiomics, and proteomics has shed new lights in developing novel drug targets. Cutting edge technologies including phenomics to identify the risk genetic loci and to characterize pathogenic pathways, the isolation of extracellular vesicle (exosomes) to define specific biomarkers, and developing animal models to mimic human beings in development of preterm birth. The rapidly growing technology of single cell sequencing has been broadly applied to the study of placentas, particularly those delivered from preterm birth and has facilitated the observation of the pathological development and differentiation of trophoblasts and decidua cells at the single-cell scale. Such, pathological pregnancies include early pregnancy loss, fetal growth retardation or intrauterine growth retardation, and preeclampsia, in addition to preterm birth. The innovation of use of artificial intelligence in the reproductive sciences has the potential to be transformative to the study of the pathophysiological pregnancies. This innovation could be especially beneficial in reducing the high rate of preterm birth in low- and middle-income countries.
This special issue will be devoted to recent progress in research in preterm birth and related pathological pregnancy, focusing on translational studies being pursued with advanced technology. Review articles will focus on the application of
• Omics
• Extracellular vesicles (exosomes)
• Epigenomics including methylomics and epigenetic regulation of non-coding RNAs
• Single-cell RNA sequencing of placentas
• Artificial intelligence facilitated analysis of clinical and omic data
Original research articles are encouraged and should illustrate biomarkers, pathways, and pathogenesis that are associated with and underlie preterm birth. Also welcome are clinical studies relevant to early prevention and intervention that may promote clinical practice in the management of preterm birth.
Preterm birth refers to a parturition before 37 gestational weeks. It clinically presents as either preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The etiology of preterm birth is highly heterogenous and likely results in part from gene-environmental interaction. Pathogenically, the environmental factors include, but are not limited to, infection and inflammation, vascular disorder, decidual senescence, uterine overdistension, cervical disease, placental dysfunction, psychological stress, and any other factors that may breakdown maternal-fetal tolerance.
Translational research is a centerpiece for prevention and intervention of preterm birth. Identification of biomarkers, implementation of clinical trials of surgical and non-surgical intervention, and exploration of pathogenesis associated with preterm birth is progressing rapidly. Translational research with advanced technology involving the integration of diverse fields such as genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, microbiomics, and proteomics has shed new lights in developing novel drug targets. Cutting edge technologies including phenomics to identify the risk genetic loci and to characterize pathogenic pathways, the isolation of extracellular vesicle (exosomes) to define specific biomarkers, and developing animal models to mimic human beings in development of preterm birth. The rapidly growing technology of single cell sequencing has been broadly applied to the study of placentas, particularly those delivered from preterm birth and has facilitated the observation of the pathological development and differentiation of trophoblasts and decidua cells at the single-cell scale. Such, pathological pregnancies include early pregnancy loss, fetal growth retardation or intrauterine growth retardation, and preeclampsia, in addition to preterm birth. The innovation of use of artificial intelligence in the reproductive sciences has the potential to be transformative to the study of the pathophysiological pregnancies. This innovation could be especially beneficial in reducing the high rate of preterm birth in low- and middle-income countries.
This special issue will be devoted to recent progress in research in preterm birth and related pathological pregnancy, focusing on translational studies being pursued with advanced technology. Review articles will focus on the application of
• Omics
• Extracellular vesicles (exosomes)
• Epigenomics including methylomics and epigenetic regulation of non-coding RNAs
• Single-cell RNA sequencing of placentas
• Artificial intelligence facilitated analysis of clinical and omic data
Original research articles are encouraged and should illustrate biomarkers, pathways, and pathogenesis that are associated with and underlie preterm birth. Also welcome are clinical studies relevant to early prevention and intervention that may promote clinical practice in the management of preterm birth.