Expression of Tissue Tissue-transglutaminase-2 (TGM2) and Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) in the Fetal Membrane of Preterm Birth

Park, In Yang; Yang, Dong Eun; Kim, Youn Hee; Kwon, Ji Young; Ahn, Hyun Young; Lee, Young; Lee, Guisera; Kim, Sa Jin; Shin, Jong Chul

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Preterm labor accounts for one third of preterm deliveries. However, the causes and the mechanism of preterm labor are still under investigation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of tissue transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) and cyclo-oxigenase I,II in the fetal membrane of patients with preterm birth compared with patients with term delivery.
METHODS
Fetal membrane were obtained from women with preterm birth due to preterm labor (n=3) and from the women with term delivery (n=3) after each vaginal birth. The expression of TGM2, COX I & II were assessed by RT-PCR and immunoblotting analysis of the amnion and chorion. Nonparametric statistics were used for analysis.
RESULTS
In the amnion in patients with preterm delivery, the expression of TGM2, COX I and COX II mRNA were increased by 2.3-fold, 2.7-fold, 1.3-fold, respectively, compared to term delivery with labor. The protein expression of TGM2 and COX I in these patients was increased in 1.9-fold and 2.1-fold but COX II protein expression showed no significant change, compared to term delivery with labor. In the chorion in patients with preterm delivery, the expression of TGM2, COX I and COX II mRNA showed no significant change, compared to term delivery with labor, but the protein concentration was significantly increased in 14.6-fold, 1.4-fold and 1.3-fold respectively, compared to term delivery with labor.
CONCLUSION
This study shows that TMG2 and COX I are expressed more in the fetal membrane at preterm delivery caused by preterm labor, compared to term delivery with labor. These data suggests that the mechanism of preterm labor might be different form term labor.