Open AccessMatrix metalloproteinase‐8 correlates with the cervical ripening process in humans
Author(s) -
Sennström Maria B.,
Brauner Annelie,
Byström Birgitta,
Malmström Anders,
Ekman Gunvor
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0412.2003.00249.x
Subject(s) - immunohistochemistry , medicine , matrix metalloproteinase , cervix , staining , stromal cell , ripening , cervical cancer , tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase , pathology , andrology , gynecology , cancer , biology , food science
Background. To determine levels of matrix metalloproteinases MMP‐1, ‐3 and ‐8 and localize them and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases TIMP‐1 and ‐2 in human cervical tissue during the cervical ripening process. Methods. Cervical biopsies were obtained from 10 term‐pregnant (TP) women and from nine women immediately after vaginal delivery. Ten nonpregnant (NP) women served as controls. Levels of MMP‐1, ‐3 and ‐8 were analyzed in supernatants of homogenized cervical tissue by specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (EIA). Localization with immunohistochemistry of these MMPs and TIMP‐1 and ‐2 was performed using monoclonal antibodies. Results. MMP‐8 reached its peak median level, 7300 ng/mg wet weight, in biopsies obtained from postpartum (PP) women, as compared to 86 ng/mg wet weight in NP ( p < 0.001) and 266 ng/mg wet weight in TP ( p = 0.016) women. The immunohistochemical results confirmed these findings, with a clear increase in MMP‐8 staining in ripened cervix localized primarily in the stromal tissue. Levels of MMP‐1 and ‐3 as measured with EIA were low in all three groups, but immunohistochemically a more frequent positive staining for MMP‐1 and ‐3 was registered in pregnant cervical tissue compared to nonpregnant. For TIMP‐1 and also for TIMP‐2 immunohistochemical analysis showed that staining in all groups was more prominent in pregnant cervical tissue compared to nonpregnant. Conclusion. The results indicate that MMP‐8 is involved in the process of cervical ripening, and that MMP‐1 and ‐3 and their inhibitors TIMP‐1 and ‐2 may also play a role in this complicated process.