The molecular basis for sonographic cervical shortening at term: Identification of differentially expressed genes and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a function of cervical length

Sonia S. Hassan, Roberto Romero, Adi L. Tarca, Chia Ling Nhan-Chang, Pooja Mittal, Edi Vaisbuch, Juan M. Gonzalez, Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa, Rouba Ali-Fehmi, Zhong Dong, Nandor Gabor Than, Chong Jai Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether cervical shortening of a ripe cervix at term is associated with changes in the cervical transcriptome. Study Design Sonographically measured cervical lengths and biopsy specimens were obtained from 19 women at term who were not in labor with a ripe cervix. Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 arrays (Affymetrix Inc, Santa Clara, CA) were used. Gene expression was analyzed as a function of cervical length. Gene Ontology, pathway analyses, quantitative real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry were performed. Results Cervical length shortening was associated with differential expression of 687 genes. Fifty-four biologic processes, 22 molecular functions, and 9 pathways were enriched. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed differential expression of 13 genes. Bone morphogenetic protein-7, claudin-1, integrin beta-6, and endometrial progesteroneinduced protein messenger RNA, and protein expressions were down-regulated with cervical shortening. Conclusion Sonographic cervical shortening in patients at term who are not in labor with a ripe cervix is associated with changes in the uterine cervix transcriptome. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition may participate in the mechanism of cervical shortening at term.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)472.e1-472.e14
JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume203
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7)
  • cervical length
  • cervical ripening
  • claudin-1
  • endometrial progesterone-induced protein (EPIP)
  • epithelial-mesenchymal transition
  • extracellular matrix
  • high-dimensional biology
  • preterm birth
  • progesterone
  • PSAT1
  • tight junction
  • transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)
  • uterine cervix

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