Vaginal Lactoferrin Modulates [PGE.sub.2], MMP-9, MMP-2, and TIMP-1 Amniotic Fluid Concentrations

• Published in: Mediators of inflammation 2016-01
• Main Authors: Trentini, Alessandro, Maritati, Ma, Cervellati, Carlo, Manfrinato, Maria C, Gonelli, Arianna, Volta, Carlo A, Vesce, Fortunato, Greco, Pantaleo, Dallocchio, Franco, Bellini, Tiziana, Contini, Carlo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Inflammation; Lactoferrins; Proteases; Protein binding
• ISSN: 0962-9351
• DOI: 10.1155/2016/3648719

Inflammation plays an important role in pregnancy, and cytokine and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) imbalance has been associated with premature rupture of membranes and increased risk of preterm delivery. Previous studies have demonstrated that lactoferrin (LF), an iron-binding protein with anti-inflammatory properties, is able to decrease amniotic fluid (AF) levels of IL-6. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of vaginal LF administration on amniotic fluid [PGE.sub.2] level and MMP-TIMP system in women undergoing genetic amniocentesis. One hundred and eleven women were randomly divided into controls (n = 57) or treated with LF 4 hours before amniocentesis (n = 54). Amniotic fluid [PGE.sub.2], active MMP-9 and MMP-2, and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 concentrations were determined by commercially available assays and the values were normalized by AF creatinine concentration. [PGE.sub.2], active MMP-9, and its inhibitor TIMP-1 were lower in LF-treated group than in controls (p < 0.01, p < 0.005, and p < 0.001, resp.). Conversely, active MMP-2 (p < 0.0001) and MMP-2/TIMP-2 molar ratio (p < 0.001) were increased, whilst TIMP-2 was unchanged. Our data suggest that LF administration is able to modulate the inflammatory response following amniocentesis, which may counteract cytokine and prostanoid imbalance that leads to abortion. This trial is registered with Clinical Trial number NCT02695563.