Plasminogen activator inhibitors type 1 and type 2 and plasminogen activators in amniotic fluid during pregnancy.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor activity (PAI), PAI-1 and PAI-2 antigen, and other fibrinolytic parameters were evaluated in amniotic fluid during normal pregnancy and compared with that obtained in plasma of pregnant women. The results indicate the presence of both PAI-1 and PAI-2 in amniotic fluid during normal pregnancy. In amniotic fluid, PAI-1 antigen levels increased from 194 +/- 109 ng/ml (first trimester) to 640 +/- 396 ng/ml (third trimester) and PAI-2 antigen levels increased from 72 +/- 57 ng/ml to 173 +/- 97 ng/ml. In contrast, a decrease in tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen level was observed during pregnancy. The PAI-1 levels in amniotic fluid were significantly higher than the PAI-1 levels in plasma of women at a similar gestational age. However, PAI activity, measured using single chain t-PA, was lower in amniotic fluid than in plasma of normal pregnant women. The PAI activity/PAI-1 antigen ratio in amniotic fluid after activation by a denaturing agent increased from 0.003 +/- 0.004 to 0.059 +/- 0.018. These results indicate that high levels of PAI-1 are present in amniotic fluid and suggest that this PAI-1 is present in a latent form that can be reactivated, at least partially, by a denaturing agent.