Identification of biomarkers for preterm delivery in mid-trimester amniotic fluid

• Published in: Placenta (Eastbourne) Vol. 34; no. 10; pp. 873 - 878
• Main Authors: Kim, A., Lee, E.S., Shin, J.C., Kim, H.Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Amniotic fluid; Amniotic Fluid - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - metabolism; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; IL-6; Interleukin-6 - metabolism; Internal Medicine; Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 - metabolism; MMP-8; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Premature Birth - metabolism; Preterm birth; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism; VEGF; MMP-8; Preterm birth; VEGF; Amniotic fluid; IL-6; Second trimester; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Pregnancy disorders; Premature delivery; Biological marker; Identification
• ISSN: 0143-4004; 1532-3102; 1532-3102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2013.06.306

We investigated whether the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inflammatory markers in mid-trimester amniotic fluid have predictive value for spontaneous preterm birth in singleton pregnancy. Our subjects were 72 pregnant women who were undertaken with amniocentesis from 16 to 19 weeks of gestation. 36 cases were women with preterm delivery, and other 36 cases were matched women with full-term delivery. Stored amniotic fluid was investigated after the delivery. The levels of matrix metalloproteinases-8 (MMP-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and VEGF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. The levels of MMP-8 and IL-6 in preterm group were significantly higher than control group (5.76 ± 1.53 ng/ml vs 4.89 ± 1.77 ng/ml and 170.54 ± 55.69 pg/ml vs 141.92 ± 57.21 pg/ml, respectively) (p < 0.05). In terms of VEGF, the levels were elevated in preterm group (30.76 ± 4.06 pg/ml vs 22.36 ± 7.03 pg/ml) (p < 0.05). This study suggests that elevated levels of IL-6 and MMP-8 in amniotic fluid at mid-trimester are predictive of preterm delivery, and that VEGF which is representative of angiogenesis can be a new and useful predictor of preterm delivery. •Proinflammatory responses in amniotic fluid have been studied for clues of the etiology of preterm labor.•Recent evidence suggests that the processes behind inflammation and angiogenesis are interconnected.•This study is the first report to reveal VEGF in mid-trimester amniotic fluid as a predictor of preterm delivery.