Soluble Toll-like receptor 1 family members in the amniotic fluid of women with preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes

Abstract

Objective: To determine soluble Toll-like receptor (sTLR) 1, sTLR2 and sTLR6 concentrations in amniotic fluid (AF) of women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) and if there is an association with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and histological chorioamnionitis (HCA). Methods: Cross-sectional study was performed. Forty-two women with singleton PPROM pregnancies at a gestational age between 24 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks were included in the study (twenty-two women with presence of both microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and HCA, and 20 women without microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and HCA). Amniocenteses were performed, and the concentrations of sTLRs were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: Women with microbial invasions of the amniotic cavity and HCA (n = 22) had significantly higher median sTLR1, sTLR2 and sTLR6 levels than those without (n = 20). (20.4 ng/mL vs. 0.44 ng/mL; p < 0.0001, 577.6 ng/mL vs. 60.7 ng/mL; p < 0.0001 and 0.44 ng/mL vs. 0.26 ng/mL; p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusions: Women with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and HCA had higher AF sTLR1, 2 and 6 levels.

Keywords::

• Amniotic fluid
• innate immunity
• intrauterine infection
• soluble receptor

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Jan Krejsek for the critical reading of the manuscript and helpful discussions. This work was supported by grants from the Czech Science Foundation (No. 304-09-0494), from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic (NS 10382-3/2009) and by the Research project (MZO 00179906). Additional support came from Swedish government grants to researchers in the public health service (ALF) (ALFGBG-136431), Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, Sweden, Swedish Medical Society, Stockholm, Sweden (2008–21198) and the Jane and Dan Olsson Research Foundation, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.