Progestin-Inflammatory Cytokine Interactions Affect Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 and -3 Expression in Term Decidual Cells: Implications for Treatment of Chorioamnionitis-Induced Preterm Delivery

Abstract

Augmented DC-expressed MMP-1 and MMP-3 in CAM-complicated pregnancies may promote PTD via decidual, fetal membrane, and cervical extracellular matrix degradation. Effects of progestin-p38 MAPK signaling inhibition on cytokine-enhanced MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression in term DCs suggest alternative mechanisms to prevent CAM-induced PTD.