Involvement of MAPK pathway in TNF-alpha-induced MMP-9 expression in human trophoblastic cells.

The aim of this article was to investigate the signalling pathways involved in metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression induced by tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in first-trimester trophoblastic cells. TNF-alpha-induced MMP-9 expression, secretion and activity were completely blocked by stress-activated protein kinase/jun kinase (SAPK/JNK) and Erk inhibitors (SP600 125 and U0126 respectively) but not by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors (SB203 580 and SB202 190). Stimulation of HIPEC 65 cells with TNF-alpha caused phosphorylation of JNK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2), with a peak after 20 min of treatment.

Effect of hydrosalpinx fluid on secretion of trophoblastic matrix metalloproteinases.

Objective: To determine if hydrosalpinx fluid affects trophoblastic metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion.

Design: Measurement of the effect of hydrosalpinx and peritoneal fluids (as controls) added to the medium on the MMPs secreted by cytotrophoblastic cells.

Setting: Academic research center.

Accuracy of single measurements of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A, human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone in the diagnosis of early pregnancy failure.

Background: Circulating human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone are commonly used as markers of abnormal pregnancies. Previous studies have shown that pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) was also depressed in extrauterine pregnancies (EUP). Previously, PAPP-A was measured with polyclonal antibodies which were later shown to recognise also the pro-form of major basic protein (pro-MBP).