Premium
The Role of Human Neutrophil Elastase in the Premature Rupture of Membranes
Author(s) -
Kanayama Naohiro,
Terao Toshihiko,
Horiuchi Kentarou
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
asia‐oceania journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 0389-2328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1447-0756.1988.tb00122.x
Subject(s) - elastase , amnion , neutrophil elastase , membrane , premature rupture of membranes , pathogenesis , amniotic fluid , immunology , medicine , chemistry , biology , inflammation , biochemistry , enzyme , pregnancy , fetus , genetics
Studies were made as to whether or not human neutrophil elastase is involved in the pathogenesis of some cases of premature rupture of the membranes. Only the disrupted areas of membranes of prematurely ruptured amnions stained with antibodies against human neutrophil elastase. Moreover, the epithelial cells of amnions without premature rupture of the membranes stained strongly with antibodies against α 1 ‐antitrypsin, whereas those of amnions with premature rupture of the membranes stained only weakly. Purified human neutrophil elastase degraded only type III collagen of normal amniotic collagens. These findings suggest that one cause of premature rupture of the amnion membranes is degradation of type III collagen by human neutrophil elastase. The mechanism of premature rupture of the membranes may be similar to that of pulmonary emphysema induced by α 1 ‐antitrypsin deficiency.