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

Makino, S.; Zaragoza, D.B.; Mitchell, B.F.; Yonemoto, H.; Olson, D.M.

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2006.06.010

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Volume 28, Issue 5 , Pages 557-565, May 2007

Decidual Activation: Abundance and Localization of Prostaglandin F_2α Receptor (FP) mRNA and Protein and Uterine Activation Proteins in Human Decidua at Preterm Birth and Term Birth☆

S. Makino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Perinatal Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
D.B. Zaragoza
- Perinatal Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 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.
B.F. Mitchell
- Perinatal Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
H. Yonemoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
D.M. Olson
- Perinatal Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Perinatal Research Centre, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Perinatal Research Centre, Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

Accepted 20 June 2006. published online 16 August 2006.

Abstract

Objective

To study how the decidua contributes to parturition, we examined prostaglandin F_2α concentrations as well as prostaglandin 15-hydroxy dehydrogenase, prostaglandin F_2α 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 F_2α receptor mRNA was low in all preterm patients and then significantly increased towards term (p=0.049). Prostaglandin F_2α 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 F_2α 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 F_2α receptor at term may facilitate the decidua contribution to parturition, and its regulation and role should be examined further.

Keywords: Prostaglandin F_2α receptor, Uterine activation proteins, Matrix metalloproteinase, Prostaglandin 15-hydroxy dehydrogenase, Decidua, Pregnancy