title: Activin A and its regulatory molecules in placenta and fetal membranes of women with preterm premature rupture of the membranes associated with acute chorioamnionitis.
abstract: LABELED PROBLEM: To investigate regulation of activin A and related molecules in placenta/fetal membranes from preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) associated with acute chorioamnionitis (ACA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Tissues were obtained from women with spontaneous preterm deliveries (PTD), pPROM without ACA, pPROM with ACA. Activin A, follistatin, and nodal and cripto mRNA were measured by RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Activin A mRNA was up-regulated in tissues from pPROM, in presence or absence of HCA, respect to PTD and in pPROM with ACA respect to pPROM without ACA. Follistatin mRNA expression did not differ between the groups. In placenta, nodal mRNA showed the same trend of activin A, while cripto was down-regulated in pPROM with ACA than other groups. Nodal and cripto were not expressed by fetal membranes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows the involvement of activin A pathway in pPROM with ACA. Further studies will focus on its role in placental immune functions.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Italy.
authors: Michela
authors: M
authors: Torricelli
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Voltolini
authors: Romina
authors: R
authors: Novembri
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Bocchi
authors: Mariarosaria
authors: M
authors: Di Tommaso
authors: Filiberto M
authors: FM
authors: Severi
authors: Felice
authors: F
authors: Petraglia
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D038681:Follistatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055457:Nodal Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000378:metabolism; D047928:Premature Birth; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D038681:Follistatin; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C526007:NODAL protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D055457:Nodal Protein; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C070636:TDGF1 protein, human; C422405:activin A; D028341:Activins