Evaluation of the expression and enzyme activity of matrix metalloproteinase-7 in fetal membranes during premature rupture of membranes at term in humans

Amnion, chorion, and decidua were separated from fetal membranes at term from women with no labor (cesarean delivery CS], n = 10), labor (normal delivery, n = 10), and labor during premature rupture of membranes (PROM; n = 8) for evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7. The expression of pro-MMP-7 was immunohistochemically demonstrated in amnion, chorion, and decidua. Interestingly, however, Western blotting revealed that pro-MMP-7 and MMP-7 expression was the lowest in amnion from PROM, whereas it was the highest in chorion and decidua from PROM. Importantly, the enzymatic activity of MMP-7 determined with an MMP-7-specific substrate was higher in amnion from PROM than that from CS. Moreover, the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 level was lower in amnion from PROM than that from CS. Thus, MMP-7 is expressed in fetal membranes (amnion, chorion, and decidua), and its activity is increased in amnion of PROM at term, accompanied with the reduced level of TIMP-1, which may suggest the possible involvement of MMP-7 in PROM.