Abstract
Objective:
Elafin is a low molecular weight protein with antileukoproteinase, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and immunomodulating properties. The profile of Elafin in fetal membranes is not well characterized. This study determined the changes in Elafin expression and concentration in human fetal membrane from patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) and in vitro in response to intra-amniotic polymicrobial pathogens.
Method:
Elafin messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions were studied in fetal membranes from PPROM, normal term as well as in normal term not in labor membranes in an organ explant system treated (24 h) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measured Elafin concentrations in culture supernatants from tissues treated with LPS and polybacterial combinations of heat-inactivated Mycoplasma hominis (MH), Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and Gardnerella vaginalis (GV).
Results:
Elafin mRNA expression in fetal membranes from women with PPROM was significantly higher compared to women who delivered at term after normal pregnancy (5.09±3.50 vs. 11.71±2.21; P<0.05). In vitro, LPS-stimulated membranes showed a significantly increased Elafin m-RNA expression (P<0.05). However, the protein levels after LPS stimulation was not changed. Similarly, polymicrobial-treated fetal membranes also showed no changes in Elafin protein concentrations compared to untreated controls.
Conclusion:
Higher Elafin expression in PPROM fetal membranes suggests a host response to an inflammatory pathology. However, lack of Elafin response to LPS and polymicrobial treatment is indicative of the minimal anti-inflammatory impact of this molecule in fetal membranes.
Acknowledgments
This study is supported by development funds to Dr. R Menon by the Department of OBGYN, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX. We also want to thank Sten A Olssons Stiftelse for their financial support covering travel costs and accommodation costs of the author in Galveston and also thank statistician Jonas Bacelis for his help.
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The authors stated that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.
©2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Fetal diagnosis and therapy: a continously evolving discipline
- Highlight articles
- Prenatally diagnosed fetal tumors of the head and neck: a systematic review with antenatal and postnatal outcomes over the past 20 years
- Prenatal screening for microcephaly: an update after three decades
- Fetal echocardiography: reference values for the Chinese population
- Multi-fetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) to twins or singleton – medical justification and ethical slippery slope
- Combined screening test for trisomy 21 – is it as efficient as we believe?
- Fetal loss following invasive prenatal testing: a comparison of transabdominal chorionic villus sampling, transcervical chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis
- Comparison of adverse perinatal outcomes after single-needle and double-needle CVS techniques
- Prenatal decision-making in the second and third trimester in trisomy 21-affected pregnancies
- Role of collagen type IV in the pathogenesis of increased prenasal thickness in Down syndrome fetuses: sonographic and immunohistological findings
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: endotracheal fluid phospholipidic profile following tracheal occlusion in an experimental model
- Original articles
- The effect of intraumbilical fetal nutrition via a subcutaneously implanted port system on amino acid concentration by severe IUGR human fetuses
- Anti-inflammatory Elafin in human fetal membranes
- Recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor 121 injection for the prevention of fetal growth restriction in a preeclampsia mouse model
- Estimation of fetal weight by ultrasonography after preterm premature rupture of membranes: comparison of different formulas
- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Fetal diagnosis and therapy: a continously evolving discipline
- Highlight articles
- Prenatally diagnosed fetal tumors of the head and neck: a systematic review with antenatal and postnatal outcomes over the past 20 years
- Prenatal screening for microcephaly: an update after three decades
- Fetal echocardiography: reference values for the Chinese population
- Multi-fetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) to twins or singleton – medical justification and ethical slippery slope
- Combined screening test for trisomy 21 – is it as efficient as we believe?
- Fetal loss following invasive prenatal testing: a comparison of transabdominal chorionic villus sampling, transcervical chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis
- Comparison of adverse perinatal outcomes after single-needle and double-needle CVS techniques
- Prenatal decision-making in the second and third trimester in trisomy 21-affected pregnancies
- Role of collagen type IV in the pathogenesis of increased prenasal thickness in Down syndrome fetuses: sonographic and immunohistological findings
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: endotracheal fluid phospholipidic profile following tracheal occlusion in an experimental model
- Original articles
- The effect of intraumbilical fetal nutrition via a subcutaneously implanted port system on amino acid concentration by severe IUGR human fetuses
- Anti-inflammatory Elafin in human fetal membranes
- Recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor 121 injection for the prevention of fetal growth restriction in a preeclampsia mouse model
- Estimation of fetal weight by ultrasonography after preterm premature rupture of membranes: comparison of different formulas
- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar