Abstract:

Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) suppresses the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13). The MMP-13/TIMP-1 complex has been proposed to be one of the regulators of collagen types I and III turnover in healthy pregnancy. This study is intended to investigate the distribution of serum levels of MMP-13, TIMP-1 and ratio of MMP-13/TIMP-1 in women with preeclampsia (PE) with a family history of preeclampsia. 37 patients with PE were examined, mean age 24.9±6 years and 32 age matched healthy subjects, mean age 24.7±5.4 years. Patients were divided in two subgroups: subjects with family history of PE (n=18); (PE+FHPE) and subjects without family history of PE (n=19); (PE-FHPE). MMP-13 and TIMP-1 levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while the ratio was calculated. Either MMP-13 or TIMP-1 alone did not exhibit any obvious differences between normal and PE pregnancies. MMP-13/TIMP-1 ratio was statistically significantly higher in PE than healthy pregnant women: 0.2 (0.1÷0.5) vs. 0.065 (0.05÷0.2) (p<0.05). Patients with PE+FHPE showed statistically significantly lower MMP-13/TIMP-1 ratio compared with PE-FHPE 0.085 (0.05÷0.25) vs. 0.22 (0.12÷0.35) (KW=5.71; p=0.02). These results indicate altered balance between MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in PE patients with family history of preeclampsia. Further studies with more precise analysis and genetic methods are needed to elucidate how imbalance between MMP-13 and TIMP-1 contributes to PE susceptibility and pathogenic mechanisms determining preeclampsia development.

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