Proteomic profiling of premature labor: a method to identify clinical biomarkers and mechanisms of disease

Abstract

19 20 PROTEOMIC PROFILING OF PREMATURE LABOR: A METHOD TO IDENTIFY CLINICAL BIOMARKERS AND MECHANISMS OF DISEASE ROBERTO ROMERO, TINNAKORN CHAIWORAPONGSA, RICARDO GOMEZ, YEON MEE KIM, SAMUEL EDWIN, EMMANUEL BUJOLD, BO YOON, Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Detroit, MI Wayne State University, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Detroit, MI Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea OBJECTIVE: Simultaneous analysis of the protein composition of biological fluids is now possible (proteomics). Such an approach can be used to identify biological markers of disease and to understand the pathophysiology of disorders that have eluded classification, diagnosis, and treatment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in protein composition in amniotic fluid of patients in premature labor. STUDY DESIGN: Amniotic fluid was obtained by amniocenteses from three groups: (1) patients with premature labor and intact membranes who subsequentlydeliveredatterm(n = 86);(2)patientswithpretermlaborintheabsenceof inflammation who delivered preterm (n = 86); (3) patients with intraamniotic inflammation defined as an elevation of amniotic fluid IL-6 (n = 86). Twodimensional (2D) chromatography was used for analysis (the first dimension separated proteins by isoelectric point, and the second, by protein hydrophobicity). A 2D protein map was generated using software that displays the isoelectric point and the degree of hydrophobicity. The maps were used as pattern recognition tools to discern unique combinations of proteins expressed in plasma. RESULTS: The following three partial 2D protein maps represent the differential amniotic fluid proteome of patients in preterm labor who delivered at term (#1), those in preterm labor who delivered preterm without intraamniotic inflammation (#2), and those with intraamniotic inflammation (#3). Figure compressed per requirements and available for review/publication upon request. CONCLUSION: Proteomic analysis of amniotic fluid revealed unique differential expression of proteins in three subsets of preterm labor. This novel approach can be used for the identification of biomarkers and to improve the understanding of the mechanisms of disease in preterm parturition. Volume 189, Number 6 Am J Obstet Gynecol SMFM Abstracts S63