Decidual Activation: Abundance and Localization of Prostaglandin F2α Receptor (FP) mRNA and Protein and Uterine Activation Proteins in Human Decidua at Preterm Birth and Term Birth☆
Accepted 20 June 2006. published online 16 August 2006.
Abstract
Objective
To study how the decidua contributes to parturition, we examined prostaglandin F2α concentrations as well as prostaglandin 15-hydroxy dehydrogenase, prostaglandin F2α receptor, matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, oxytocin receptor, prostaglandin-H synthase-2, and the prostaglandin E2 receptor expression in human decidua.
Materials and methods
Decidual samples were isolated from placentas collected from patients at preterm not in labor (PTNIL), preterm labor (PTL), term not in labor (TNIL), and term labor (TL). For immunohistochemistry, fresh membranes which included chorion, amnion and decidua from term patients were collected.
Results
Prostaglandin F2α receptor mRNA was low in all preterm patients and then significantly increased towards term (p=0.049). Prostaglandin F2α receptor protein was identified in the amnion epithelium and mesoderm, chorion trophoblasts and decidua by immunohistochemistry, and levels were highest at TNIL (p=0.007) as measured by western blot. Prostaglandin F2α levels were higher at PTNIL than TNIL. Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 protein and pro-enzyme activities were higher at TL than TNIL. There were no significant changes among the groups for any of the other factors measured.
Conclusions
These results suggest that the induction of Prostaglandin F2α receptor at term may facilitate the decidua contribution to parturition, and its regulation and role should be examined further.
aDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
bPerinatal Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
cPerinatal Research Centre, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
dPerinatal Research Centre, Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Corresponding author. Perinatal Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2S2. Tel.: +1 780 492 0029; fax: +1 780 492 1308.
☆Grant Support: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Juntendo University School of Medicine.
ABSTRACT