Expression of Placental Gelatinases in Normal and Preeclamptic Pregnancy.

Roh, J R; Oh, W J; CHoi, J J; Moon, J S; Hwang, J D; Yang, S H

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1999;42(6):1196-1200.
Published online January 1, 2001.

Expression of Placental Gelatinases in Normal and Preeclamptic Pregnancy.

J R Roh, W J Oh, J J CHoi, J S Moon, J D Hwang, S H Yang

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to compare activities of gelatinases and their regulators in normal and preeclamptic placenta tissue. METHODS: The activities of gelatinase A and B were evaluated by gelatin zymography in eight preeclamptic and 8 normal placentas. The levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and MTI-MMP were measured by Northern blotting and gelatin zymography. RESULTS:Densitometric measurements of gelatin zymogram revealed decreased activities of 92 kDa proMMP-9 and 72kDa proMMP-2 activity in preeclamptic placentas compared to normal placentas. The activities of 62 kDa active MMP-2, however, were not different between normal and preeclamptic placentas. The level of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA was lower in preeclamptic placenta than in normal placenta. On the other hand, there was no difference in MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 mRNA level between normal and preeclamptic placenta. To the contrary of our expectation, increased level of poMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activities in placenta was associated with labor. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased activities of gelatinases may contribute to defective trophoblastic invasion of maternal tissues in preeclampsia. The MT1-MMP ssems to be a main determinant of gelatinase activities in human placenta. The mechanism that regulates activities of other MMPs in human placenta needs further investigations.

Key Words: Placenta, Gelatinases, MMP, Preeclampsia