mRNA and Protein Expression in Human Fetal Membrane Cells: Potential Biomarkers for Preterm Prelabor Rupture of the Fetal Membranes?

Emmeli Mikkelsen, Berthold Huppertz, Ripudaman Singh, Katarina Ravn, Lotte Hatt, Mogens Kruhøffer, Rheanna Urrabaz-Garza, Niels Uldbjerg, Ramkumar Menon, Torben Steiniche

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Clinically, unique markers in fetal membrane cells may contribute to the search for biomarkers for preterm prelabor rupture of the fetal membranes (pPROM) in maternal blood. pPROM is associated with overwhelming inflammation and premature cellular senescence causing “biological microfractures” of the fetal membranes. We hypothesize that these pathological processes are associated with the shedding of fetal membrane cells into the maternal circulation. The aim of this study was to identify markers expressed exclusively in fetal membrane cells to facilitate their isolation, characterization, and determination of biomarker potential in maternal blood. We have (1), by their transcriptomic profile, identified markers that are upregulated in amnion and chorion tissue compared to maternal white blood cells, and (2), by immunohistochemistry, confirmed the localization of the differentially expressed proteins in fetal membranes, placenta, and the placental bed of the uterus. RNA sequencing revealed 31 transcripts in the amnion and 42 transcripts in the chorion that were upregulated. Among these, 22 proteins were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. All but two transcripts were expressed both on mRNA and protein level in at least one fetal membrane cell type. Among these remaining 20 proteins, 9 proteins were not significantly expressed in the villous and extravillous trophoblasts of the placenta.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number15826
JournalInternational journal of molecular sciences
Volume24
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2023

Keywords

  • RNA sequencing
  • amniochorionic membranes
  • biomarkers
  • fetal membranes
  • immunohistochemistry
  • mRNA expression
  • placenta
  • placental bed
  • preterm prelabor rupture of membranes
  • protein expression

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Molecular Biology
  • Spectroscopy
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry

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