Title:Identification and Characterization of Amniotic Fluid Proteins Incident to Normal, Preeclampsia and Polyhydramnios Pregnancies
Volume: 13
Issue: 3
Author(s): Ruta Navakauskiene, Sandra Baronaite, Dalius Matuzevicius, Ilona Zaikova, Audrone Arlauskiene, Dalius Navakauskas and Grazina Treigyte
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Amniotic fluid, preeclampsia, polyhydramnios, pregnancy, proteomics.
Abstract: Background: Amniotic fluid is a complex mixture and reflects the physiological status of
the developing fetus. Many proteins presented in amniotic fluid are of exceptional interest because
their expression reflects physiological and pathological conditions of the fetus and/or pregnancy.
Objective: In the present study, we performed proteomics-based identification of biomarkers of amniotic
fluid from normal and pathological pregnancy.
Methods: Proteins isolated from amniotic fluid of three different status of pregnancy - normal,
preeclampsia and polyhydramnios, were fractionated by 2DE, visualized by Coomassie blue staining
and all visualized proteins subjected for identification with mass spectrometry. Around 40 proteins
were identified by mass spectrometry analysis. Changes in identified protein levels defined in three
different pregnancy status were evaluated by using computational methods.
Results: In our study we characterized proteins isolated from amniotic fluid obtained from normal
pregnancy, developed preeclampsia and polyhydramnios. Some proteins’ are variable in their expression
level in comparison to pathological cases with normal pregnancy. These proteins are involved
in various cellular processes and are responsible for cell signaling and regulation (apolipoprotein,
peroxiredoxin, protein AMBP, putative elongation factor, clusterin, etc.), metabolic processes
(lumican, vitamin D binding protein, etc.), macromolecular transport (ceruloplasmin, corticosteroidbinding
protein, etc.), proteins specific for pregnancy and embryo development (angiotensinogen, fibrinogen
beta chain, etc.) and others.
Conclusion: In the study new proteins typical for amniotic fluid of preeclampsia and polyhydramnios
pregnancies were identified. These proteins are associated with development, signal transduction,
and metabolic processes. Results could be valuable for developing biomarkers for fetal development
and pregnancy-related disorders.