Boosting the cervix’s antibacterial defences
Research institutes:
Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine,
EGA Institute for Women’s Health,
University College LondonProject dates:
Grant Awarded: 17 Apr 2023
Funding awarded:
Grant Amount (Borne’s share): £122,357
Total award: £244,714
Infections and inflammation are one of the most common triggers of preterm birth. The cervix has natural antibacterial defences that normally prevent bacteria from travelling from the vagina into the womb. Dr Ashley Boyle and her team are testing a therapy they have developed to boost these natural defences. This could lead to a new treatment to prevent babies from being born too soon
The challenge
As many as 4 in 10 cases of preterm birth are caused by infections and inflammation. These are caused by bacteria travelling up from the vagina, through the cervix, and into the womb.
Progesterone is the standard treatment for women who are at risk of preterm birth. But there is little evidence that progesterone is effective at preventing preterm birth caused by infections.
We need to identify new ways to prevent this common cause of preterm births, so that we can help more babies live and thrive.
The project
As well as providing a physical barrier, the cervix also produces antibacterial proteins to protect the womb and the baby from infection. Prof Simon Waddington and colleagues have been exploring whether boosting these natural antibacterial defences may reduce preterm birth. They have developed a gene therapy which makes the cervix produce more of a key antimicrobial protein to help prevent infections.
In this project, the team are testing this gene therapy in mice which are prone to infection-related preterm birth. They are testing the gene therapy on its own, and in combination with progesterone to see if that provides any additional benefit.
Prof Waddington’s team are assessing the brain health of the mice pups born, to understand if the treatment has any impact.
They are also testing the gene therapy on human cervix and vagina cells grown in the lab, to see whether it boosts the cells’ natural defences against infections.
What difference will this project make?
Infections and inflammation of the womb are one of the most common causes of preterm birth, but there are no effective options to reduce women’s chances of going into labour too early.
This project will provide Prof Waddington and his team the evidence they need to move their gene therapy a step closer to human clinical trials. This could eventually lead to a new intervention to help stop babies from being born too soon.
Our long-term goal is to preventatively treat those at high-risk of preterm labour to improve the health of their babies. Exploring novel treatments in mouse models offers a valuable opportunity to unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying preterm labour. Every step brings us closer to ensuring healthier beginnings for countless babies.
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Project details
Lead researcher
Professor Simon N Waddington, BSc MSc PhD
Project team
Dr Ashley K Boyle, BSc, MSc, PhD
Professor Donald M Peebles, BA MA MBBS MD MRCOG
This project is jointly funded by Borne and Action Medical Research
