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Bhunia, S, O'Brien, S, Ling, Y, Huang, Z, Wu, P ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0011-5636 and Yang, Y ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1362-6040 (2022) New approaches suggest term and preterm human fetal membranes may have distinct biomechanical properties. Scientific Reports, 12 (1). 5109 - ?.

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Abstract

Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes is the leading cause of preterm birth and its associated infant mortality and morbidity. However, its underlying mechanism remains unknown. We utilized two novel biomechanical assessment techniques, ball indentation and Optical Coherence Elastography (OCE), to compare the mechanical properties and behaviours of term (≥ 37 weeks) and preterm (33-36 weeks) human fetal membranes from ruptured and non-ruptured regions. We defined the expression levels of collagen, sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9, MMP-13), fibronectin, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) within membranes by biochemical analysis, immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting, both with and without simulated fetal movement forces on membrane rupture with a new loading system. Preterm membranes showed greater heterogeneity in mechanical properties/behaviours between ruptured and non-ruptured regions compared with their term counterparts (displacement rate: 36% vs. 15%; modulus: 125% vs. 34%; thickness: 93% vs. 30%; collagen content: 98% vs. 29%; sGAG: 85% vs 25%). Furthermore, simulated fetal movement forces triggered higher MMP-9, MMP-13 and IL-1β expression in preterm than term membranes, while nifedipine attenuated the observed increases in expression. In conclusion, the distinct biomechanical profiles of term and preterm membranes and the abnormal biochemical expression and activation by external forces in preterm membranes may provide insights into mechanisms of preterm rupture of membranes.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	The final version of this article and all relevant information related to it, including copyrights, can be found on the publisher website.
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > R Medicine (General) > R735 Medical education. Medical schools. Research R Medicine > RC Internal medicine R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering
Related URLs:	Author
Depositing User:	Symplectic
Date Deposited:	20 Apr 2022 15:00
Last Modified:	20 Apr 2022 15:00
URI:	https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/id/eprint/10858

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• New approaches suggest term and preterm human fetal membranes may have distinct biomechanical properties. (deposited 18 Mar 2022 11:57)
  • New approaches suggest term and preterm human fetal membranes may have distinct biomechanical properties. (deposited 20 Apr 2022 15:00) [Currently Displayed]

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