Low levels of anti‐secretory factor in placenta are associated with preterm birth and inflammation

Introduction Anti‐secretory factor is a protein that regulates secretory and inflammatory processes and preterm birth is associated with inflammation. Therefore, our hypothesis was that anti‐secretory factor might play a role in immune reactivity and homeostasis during pregnancy. Material and methods Following spontaneous onset of labor and preterm or term delivery, placenta biopsies were collected. The levels of anti‐secretory factor and markers of inflammation (CD68, CD163) and vascularization (CD34, smooth muscle actin) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results The 61 placental biopsies included 31 preterm (