Identification and characterization of proteins in amniotic fluid that are differentially expressed before and after antenatal corticosteroid administration

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2010-04, Vol.202 (4), p.388.e1-388.e10
• Main Authors: Lee, JoonHo, MD, Park, Joong Shin, MD, PhD, Norwitz, Errol R., MD, PhD, Kim, Byoung Jae, MD, Park, Chan-Wook, MD, PhD, Jun, Jong Kwan, MD, PhD, Syn, Hee Chul, MD, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenal Cortex Hormones - administration & dosage; Albumin; Albumins - analysis; Albumins - metabolism; Amniocentesis; amniotic fluid; Amniotic Fluid - drug effects; Amniotic Fluid - metabolism; antenatal corticosteroids; Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans - analysis; Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans - metabolism; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Isomerism; Keratan Sulfate - analysis; Keratan Sulfate - metabolism; Lumican; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Peptide Fragments - analysis; Peptide Fragments - metabolism; Prealbumin - analysis; Prealbumin - chemistry; Prealbumin - metabolism; Pregnancy; Premature Birth - drug therapy; Premature Birth - metabolism; Proteomics - methods; Proteomics - standards; Prothrombin - analysis; Prothrombin - metabolism; prothrombin fragment 2; Reproducibility of Results; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry; transthyretin
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.01.056

Objective We sought to examine changes in the intraamniotic proteomic environment after the administration of antenatal corticosteroids to women with impending preterm delivery. Study Design Amniotic fluid samples were collected at the time of clinically indicated amniocentesis before and within 7 days of administration of antenatal corticosteroids for impending preterm delivery (n = 12). Proteins differentially expressed before and after corticosteroids were identified by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. They were isolated, characterized, and quantified by fast protein liquid chromatography, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in-gel tryptic digestion, immunodepletion assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Results Five protein peaks of interest were identified and characterized, all of which were significantly decreased after antenatal corticosteroid administration. These included 2 isoforms of transthyretin, albumin, prothrombin fragment 2, and lumican. Conclusion Four proteins, identified and characterized in amniotic fluid, were differentially expressed with antenatal corticosteroid administration. These data may provide additional insight into the molecular mechanisms by which antenatal corticosteroids prevent neonatal complications.