Abstract
BackgroundPreterm Birth (PTB) is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are at high risk of PTB. There is a need for research studies to investigate the mechanisms linking PCOS and PTB, to facilitate screening, and develop novel preventative strategies.ObjectiveTo list all the proteomic biomarkers of PTB and integrate this list with the PCOS biomarker database to identify commonly expressed biomarkers of the two conditions.Search StrategyA systematic review of PTB biomarkers and update of PCOS biomarker database. All eligible published studies on proteomic biomarkers for PTB and PCOS identified through various databases were evaluated.Selection CriteriaFor the identification of the relevant studies, the following search terms were used: “proteomics”, “proteomic”, “preterm birth”, “preterm labour”, “proteomic biomarker” and “polycystic ovary syndrome”. This search was restricted to humans onlyData Collection and AnalysisA database on proteomic biomarkers for PTB was created while an already existing PCOS biomarker database was updated. The two databases were integrated and biomarkers that were co-expressed in both women with PCOS and PTB were identified and investigated.ResultsA panel of six proteomic biomarkers was similarly differentially expressed in women with PTB and women with PCOS compared to their respective controls (normal age-matched women in the case of PCOS studies and women with term pregnancy in the case of PTB studies). These biomarkers include Pyruvate kinase M1/M2, Vimentin, Fructose bisphosphonate aldolase A, Heat shock protein beta-1, Peroxiredoxin-1 and Transferrin.ConclusionsThese proteomic biomarkers (Pyruvate kinase M1/M2, Vimentin, Fructose bisphosphonate aldolase A, Heat shock protein beta-1, Peroxiredoxin-1 and Transferrin) can be potentially used to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms linking PCOS and PTB. This would help to identify subgroups of women with PCOS at risk of PTB and hence the potential of developing preventative strategies.
Highlights
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder with reproductive and metabolic consequences including infertility, oligomenorrhoea, hirsutism, acne, hyperandrogenaemia, obesity and an increased risk of hypertension, insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes in later life [1,2,3]
A panel of six proteomic biomarkers was differentially expressed in women with Preterm Birth (PTB) and women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) compared to their respective controls
The pathophysiological mechanisms involved in PTB in women with PCOS are not completely understood but it might be possible that the associated raised estrone levels, hyperinsulinaemia and the subsequent diabetic and hypertensive predispositions may act as co-factors [4,6]
Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder with reproductive and metabolic consequences including infertility, oligomenorrhoea, hirsutism, acne, hyperandrogenaemia, obesity and an increased risk of hypertension, insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes in later life [1,2,3]. Women with PCOS are at increased risk of developing obstetrics complications including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and preterm birth (PTB) [4,5,6,7]. The pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning the link between PCOS and PTB are not determined yet. Various aetiologies have been suggested including the increased incidence of multiple pregnancies and nulliparity [7] When these factors were accounted for and eliminated in recent meta-analyses, pregnant women with PCOS had still increased risk of giving birth prematurely [4]. The pathophysiological mechanisms involved in PTB in women with PCOS are not completely understood but it might be possible that the associated raised estrone levels, hyperinsulinaemia and the subsequent diabetic and hypertensive predispositions may act as co-factors [4,6]. There is a need for research studies to investigate the mechanisms linking PCOS and PTB, to facilitate screening, and develop novel preventative strategies
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