title: Circulating levels of matrix proteases and their inhibitors in pregnant women with and without a history of recurrent pregnancy loss.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have recently shown that serum relaxin-2 levels are attenuated in women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). We sought to determine whether a history of RPL is also associated with changes in serum matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases (TIMP) -1 and -2.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained serum from 20 pregnant women with a history of RPL and 20 age-matched pregnant women with no history of RPL (NRPL) at 6-8, 10-12, 20, and 34 weeks gestation, and from cord blood. We quantified total serum concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 by ELISA. We determined whether these serum marker levels were associated with a history of RPL and delivery before 37 weeks gestation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in the rates of miscarriage, preterm birth or prelabour rupture of fetal membranes between RPL and NRPL. However babies born to RPL were lighter than those born to NRPL. Serum MMP-1, 9, and TIMP-1 did not differ between RPL and NRPL but MMP-3 was higher in RPL vs. NRPL at 6-8 weeks (P < 0.05). Serum TIMP-2 levels were higher in RPL women at all gestations (P < 0.01). The ratio of RLX-2 (reported previously) to TIMP-2 at 10-12 weeks gestation was more strongly associated with a history of RPL than either peptide separately - area under the ROC curves for RLX-2 0.79 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.92), TIMP-2 0.83 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.95), and for RLX-2:TIMP-2 ratio 0.92 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.99).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women with a history of RPL demonstrate increased serum TIMP-2 and reduced RLX-2 during a subsequent viable pregnancy. Determination of both markers in early pregnancy enhances the discrimination of women with a history of RPL. These observations suggest roles for these two peptides in early implantation and placental development. Whether these may prove to be reliable early predictive markers for subsequent pregnancy loss in the index pregnancy is unknown and will require further studies.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology and Reproduction, Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, 4th Floor, Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield S10 2SF, UK. d.o.c.anumba@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: Dilly O C
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Anumba
authors.forename: Saad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El Gelany
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Tin C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020964:Embryo Loss / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D017584:Reproductive History; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases