Objective: To investigate the roles of matrix metalloproteinase-9, -2 (MMP-9, 2), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1, 2 (TIMP-1, 2) in pathogenesis of the accretio placenta.
Methods: The women with the placenta accrete were recruited and the placenta (23) and deciduas tissues (9) after labor were obtained, and the placenta (28) and deciduas (11) from women without the placenta accreta were obtained as control to get, too. The expressions of MMP-9, -2, TIMP-1, 2 in the placental and decidual tissues were analyzed by real-time PCR.
Results: mRNA expression of MMP-9 in the placenta accreta was (3.21 +/- 0.76) copies/microg total RNA, significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of normal placenta [(3.84 +/- 0.24) copies/microg total RNA)]. MMP-9 transcription in the decidua accreta was (2.50 +/- 0.49) copies/microg total RNA, significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of normal decidua [(3.81 +/- 0.66) copies/microg total RNA]. mRNA expression of TIMP-1 in normal placenta and placenta accreta was (5.91 +/- 0.56) and (5.92 +/- 0.46) copies/microg total RNA, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups. mRNA expression of TIMP-1 in the accrete deciduas was (6.63 +/- 0.51) copies/microg total RNA, significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of normal decidua (7.09 +/- 0.55) copies/microg. mRNA expression of MMP-2 in the accrete placenta was (4.55 +/- 1.13) copies/microg total RNA, significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of normal placenta (5.53 +/- 0.59) copies/microg. mRNA expression of MMP-2 in the accrete decidua and normal decidua was (6.07 +/- 0.83) and (5.97 +/- 0.76) copies/microg total RNA, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups. mRNA expression of TIMP-2 in the accrete placenta was (4.69 +/- 0.60) copies/microg total RNA, significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of normal placenta (3.79 +/- 1.06) copies/microg. mRNA expression of TIMP-2 in the accrete decidua was (5.06 +/- 0.33) copies/microg total RNA, higher significantly (P < 0.05) than that of normal decidua (3.98 +/- 0.60) copies/microg.
Conclusions: The upregulation of MMP-9, MMP-2 in placenta and downregulation of TIMP-1 in decidua were involved in occurrence of the placental accreta, and the roles of TIMP-2 in occurrence of the placental accreta need to elucidated.