title: Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in the cervical mucus plug at term of pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors in the cervical mucus plug obtained during active labor at term.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cervical mucus plugs from 17 healthy women in normal active labor were homogenized, extracted, and analyzed by 4 different assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gelatin zymography revealed large amounts of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and triple-helical collagen degradation demonstrated collagenase activity (MMP-8). Reverse zymography showed that tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2 are detectable in the cervical mucus plug. Quantification by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay confirmed the presence of MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that proteolytic or nonproteolytic effects of MMP and TIMP may play a part in the function of the cervical mucus plug of pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Skejby University Hospital, University of Aarhus, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. nbecher@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Naja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Becher
authors.forename: Merete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hein
authors.forename: Carl Christian
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Danielsen
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Uldbjerg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002582:Cervix Mucus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000032:analysis; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000032:analysis; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000032:analysis*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
chemical_list: D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9