Identification and characterization of proteins in amniotic fluid that are differentially expressed before and after antenatal corticosteroid administration.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to examine changes in the intraamniotic proteomic environment after the administration of antenatal corticosteroids to women with impending preterm delivery.


METHODS
Amniotic fluid samples were collected at the time of clinically indicated amniocentesis before and within 7 days of administration of antenatal corticosteroids for impending preterm delivery (n = 12). Proteins differentially expressed before and after corticosteroids were identified by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. They were isolated, characterized, and quantified by fast protein liquid chromatography, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in-gel tryptic digestion, immunodepletion assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
Five protein peaks of interest were identified and characterized, all of which were significantly decreased after antenatal corticosteroid administration. These included 2 isoforms of transthyretin, albumin, prothrombin fragment 2, and lumican.


CONCLUSIONS
Four proteins, identified and characterized in amniotic fluid, were differentially expressed with antenatal corticosteroid administration. These data may provide additional insight into the molecular mechanisms by which antenatal corticosteroids prevent neonatal complications.
Lee
Joonho
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Park
Joong Shin
JS
Norwitz
Errol R
ER
Kim
Byoung Jae
BJ
Park
Chan-Wook
CW
Jun
Jong Kwan
JK
Syn
Hee Chul
HC
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007536:Isomerism; D007632:Keratan Sulfate / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D000071234:Lumican; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000418:Albumins; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; C000604306:LUM protein, human; D000071234:Lumican; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011228:Prealbumin; C044183:prothrombin fragment 2; D011516:Prothrombin; D007632:Keratan Sulfate