Gelatinase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 of the umbilical cord blood in preeclampsia.
BACKGROUND
Preeclampsia is associated with accumulation of collagen and proteoglycans in the umbilical cord tissues as a result of increased biosynthesis and decreased degradation of these components. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes engaged in the degradation of collagen and the protein core structures of proteoglycans, including those which bind peptide growth factors.


METHODS
We used Western immunoblots, immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) and zymography techniques for the detection of gelatinases and their inhibitors.


RESULTS
We found that both umbilical cord blood plasma and serum of controls and preeclamptic newborns contained MMP-2 and MMP-9, as well tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2. The umbilical cord plasma of preeclamptic subjects contained large amounts of MMP-9 in a form of complexes with other plasma components, and zymographic analysis demonstrated increased gelatinolytic activity at a position corresponding to MMP-9, compared to control samples. By contrast, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 data showed no significant differences between preeclamptic and control samples.


CONCLUSIONS
The high activity of MMP-9 in preeclamptic plasma suggests its participation in the proteolytic release of peptide growth factors from their complexes with other matrix components, with subsequent stimulation of cell division and matrix biosynthesis. We suggest this might represent one of the mechanisms for matrix remodeling in the umbilical cord of preeclamptic newborns.
Galewska
Zofia
Z
Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical Academy of Białystok, Białystok, Poland.
Romanowicz
Lech
L
Jaworski
Stefan
S
Bańkowski
Edward
E
D000328:Adult; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy
D001798:Blood Proteins; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9