Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are major extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling proteinases and regulate uterine remodeling, which is a critical process for healthy pregnancies. The goal of this study was to investigate associations between maternal blood MMPs during pregnancy and birth outcomes among 898 pregnant women in the Puerto Rico PROTECT birth cohort. MMPs (MMP1, MMP2, and MMP9) were quantified using a customized Luminex assay in blood samples collected at two gestational study visits (around 18 and 26 weeks gestation). Linear and logistic regression models were used to regress continuous and binary birth outcomes, respectively, on MMPs at each study visit separately. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test for effect modification by fetal sex on associations between MMPs and birth outcomes. We observed significant associations between MMP2 at visit 1 and newborn length that were in the opposite direction from the associations between MMP9 at visit 3 and newborn length. MMPs were associated with increased odds of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus, though case numbers were low. We also observed significant inverse associations with gestational age for MMP9 and MMP2 at visit 1 and visit 3, respectively, and these associations were observed only in mothers carrying male fetuses. Further, MMP2 was associated with heavier female fetuses, whereas MMP9 was associated with lighter female fetuses. We observed significant associations between birth outcomes and MMPs, and the majority of these associations differed by fetal sex. This study highlighted significant MMPs-birth outcomes associations that may provide a basis to explore the impact of MMPs on endometrium health and physiology.
Adverse birth outcomes are associated with circulating matrix metalloproteinases among pregnant women in Puerto Rico.
Christine Kim,Amber L. Cathey,Deborah J. Watkins,B. Mukherjee,Z. Rosario-Pabón,C. Vélez-Vega,A. Alshawabkeh,J. Cordero,J. Meeker
Published 2023 in Journal of Reproductive Immunology
ABSTRACT
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- Publication year
2023
- Venue
Journal of Reproductive Immunology
- Publication date
2023-07-01
- Fields of study
Medicine
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
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