American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 203, Issue 5 , Pages 472.e1-472.e14, November 2010

The molecular basis for sonographic cervical shortening at term: identification of differentially expressed genes and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a function of cervical length

Presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Chicago, IL, Feb. 1-6, 2010.

  • Sonia S. Hassan, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprints: Sonia S. Hassan, MD, Wayne State University/Hutzel Women's Hospital, 3990 John R, Box #4, Detroit, MI 48201
    • ,
  • Roberto Romero, MD

      Affiliations

    • Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Adi L. Tarca, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
    • Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Chia-Ling Nhan-Chang, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Pooja Mittal, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Edi Vaisbuch, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Juan M. Gonzalez, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Rouba Ali-Fehmi, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Zhong Dong, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Nandor Gabor Than, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
    • ,
  • Chong Jai Kim, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

Received March 2010; received in revised form 13 May 2010; accepted 30 June 2010. published online 06 September 2010.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine whether cervical shortening of a ripe cervix at term is associated with changes in the cervical transcriptome.

Study Design

Sonographically measured cervical lengths and biopsy specimens were obtained from 19 women at term who were not in labor with a ripe cervix. Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 arrays (Affymetrix Inc, Santa Clara, CA) were used. Gene expression was analyzed as a function of cervical length. Gene Ontology, pathway analyses, quantitative real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry were performed.

Results

Cervical length shortening was associated with differential expression of 687 genes. Fifty-four biologic processes, 22 molecular functions, and 9 pathways were enriched. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed differential expression of 13 genes. Bone morphogenetic protein-7, claudin-1, integrin beta-6, and endometrial progesterone–induced protein messenger RNA, and protein expressions were down-regulated with cervical shortening.

Conclusion

Sonographic cervical shortening in patients at term who are not in labor with a ripe cervix is associated with changes in the uterine cervix transcriptome. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition may participate in the mechanism of cervical shortening at term.

Key words: bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7), cervical length, cervical ripening, claudin-1, endometrial progesterone-induced protein (EPIP), epithelial-mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix, high-dimensional biology, preterm birth, progesterone, PSAT1, tight junction, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), uterine cervix

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 Authorship and contribution to the article is limited to the 12 authors indicated. There was no outside funding or technical assistance with the production of this article.

 Cite this article as: Hassan SS, Romero R, Tarca AL, et al. The molecular basis for sonographic cervical shortening at term: identification of differentially expressed genes and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a function of cervical length. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010;203:472.e1-14.

PII: S0002-9378(10)00856-2

doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2010.06.076

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 203, Issue 5 , Pages 472.e1-472.e14, November 2010

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