Amniotic fluid concentrations of collagenase-1 and collagenase-3 are increased in polyhydramnios.
OBJECTIVE
Polyhydramnios places increased tension on the fetal membranes and should conceptually be associated with an increased need for tissue remodeling to prevent premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Herein we use polyhydramnios as a model to study the association of the collagenase class of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with tissue remodeling during pregnancy.


METHODS
Amniotic fluids were collected by transabdominal amniocentesis from women with polyhydramnios and from women with normal amniotic fluid volume at second trimester, third trimester and at term. Fluids were assayed for MMP-1 and MMP-13 (collagenase-1 and 3) using ELISA. The concentrations in polyhydramnios were compared with subjects undergoing amniocentesis with normal amniotic fluid volume. Statistical comparisons were made using Scheffe's method for correction in multiple means comparison. P of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.


RESULTS
MMP-1 and MMP-13 are present in the amniotic fluid at all stages of pregnancy. The concentrations of these MMPs were significantly elevated in the polyhydramnios samples independent of gestational age.


CONCLUSIONS
Polyhydramnios is associated with increased amniotic fluid concentrations of MMP-1 and MMP-13 suggesting their role in tissue remodeling.
Fortunato
Stephen J
SJ
Perinatal Research Center, The Centennial Women's Hospital, Patterson, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. fortunat@edge.net
Menon
Ramkumar
R
Ahmed
Nasar U
NU
Bourgeois
Michelle
M
Dildy
Gary A
GA
D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017364:Collagenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; D006831:Polyhydramnios / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second / Q000378:metabolism; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000378:metabolism
D017364:Collagenases; C507079:MMP13 protein, human; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; C417249:collagenase 1