title: Evidence for participation of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin/matrix metalloproteinase-9 (NGAL•MMP-9) complex in the inflammatory response to infection in pregnancies complicated by preterm birth.
abstract: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is expressed in neutrophils and involved in innate immunity by sequestering iron. NGAL's ability to complex with matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and extend its gelatinolytic activity led us to investigate its role in pregnancies complicated by preterm birth (PTB) and intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI).
  
  
  
  We assayed the amniotic fluid (AF) levels of NGAL and MMP-9 in 308 women that had a clinically indicated amniocentesis and a normal pregnancy outcome or PTB. qRT-PCR was employed to determine NGAL mRNA expression of placental villous trophoblast and amniochorion. Immunohistochemistry was used for cellular localization.
  
  
  
  AF NGAL levels were gestational age-regulated. Women with IAI and PTB had significantly higher levels of NGAL, MMP-9 and NGAL•MMP-9 complex.
  
  
  
  The amniochorion is a source of NGAL and similarly to other inflammatory conditions, this protein may augment the collagenolytic effect of MMP-9 and modulate host-microbe interactions in pregnancies complicated by IAI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Kara M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rood
authors.affiliation: Center for Perinatal Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.|Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Irina A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Buhimschi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rodewald Millen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Mert O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Bahtiyar
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thung
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Taryn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Summerfield
authors.affiliation: Center for Perinatal Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Guomao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ackerman
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shellhaas
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Samuels
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Catalin S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Buhimschi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D002823:Chorion / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D000071068:Lipocalin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; C579270:MMP9 protein, human; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
keywords: MMP-9; NGAL; NGAL/MMP-9 complex; intra-amniotic infection/inflammation