REGULATION OF THE PROTEOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD NEUTROPHILS IN PRIMIGRAVIDAS IN PREPARING THEIR BODY FOR CHILDBIRTH

Objective. To establish whether there is an association of the peripheral blood neutrophil expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNAs with the serum level of transforming growth factor (TGF-ß2) in primigravidas at 38-40 weeks gestation in order to clarify the systemic mechanisms regulating the proteolytic activity of neutrophils during maturation of the cervix uteri. Conclusion. The mechanisms regulating the uterine cervix remodeling processes before birth include the enhanced proteolytic activity of peripheral blood neutrophils due to the inhibited suppressor effect of TGF-ß2. Subjects and methods. Examinations were made in 106 and 16 primigravidas at 38—40 and 36 weeks gestation, respectively. The investigators performed dynamic clinical monitoring and ultrasound study and used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and enzyme immunoassay. Results. The peripheral blood neutrophil expression of MMP-9 mRNA increases, but that of TIMP-1 mRNA and the serum level of TGF-ß2 decline during maturation before childbirth. Conclusion. The mechanisms regulating the uterine cervix remodeling processes before birth include the enhanced proteolytic activity of peripheral blood neutrophils due to the inhibited suppressor effect of TGF-ß2.

TIMP-1, TGF-ß2, preparation of the body for childbirth, neutrophils, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TGF-ß2