Sara K Bastholm1, Mie H Samson2, Naja Becher3, Lea K Hansen1, Peter R Stubbe4, Ioannis S Chronakis5, Ebba Nexo2, Niels Uldbjerg1. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. 2. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. 3. Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. 4. Food Production Engineering Research Group, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. 5. Nano-BioScience Research Group, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The viscoelastic properties of the cervical mucus plug are considered essential for the occlusion of the cervical canal and thereby for protection against ascending infections during pregnancy. Factors controlling this property are virtually unknown. This study explores a possible role of trefoil factor peptides 1, 2 and 3 (TFF1-3); peptides believed to influence mucus viscosity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study is based on spontaneously shed cervical mucus plugs from 14 women in active labor. The viscoelastic properties; the elastic modulus (G') and the viscous modulus (G") were determined by an oscillatory rheometer. The concentrations of TFF1-3 were measured by an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associations were analyzed by random-effects generalized least-squares regression analyses. RESULTS: Median (range) concentrations of TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3 were 3.1 (1.2-8.6), 1.1 (<0.006-3.7) and 1000 (170-5300) nmol/g cervical mucus plug, respectively. The TFF3 concentration was associated with G' (regression coefficient 11.7 Pa/Log nm; 95% CI 3.0-20.4, p = 0.009) and G" (regression coefficient 3.2 Pa/Log nm; 95% CI 1.5-5.0, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We suggest that TFF3 plays a role in the viscoelastic properties of the cervical mucus plug.
INTRODUCTION: The viscoelastic properties of the cervical mucus plug are considered essential for the occlusion of the cervical canal and thereby for protection against ascending infections during pregnancy. Factors controlling this property are virtually unknown. This study explores a possible role of trefoil factor peptides 1, 2 and 3 (TFF1-3); peptides believed to influence mucus viscosity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study is based on spontaneously shed cervical mucus plugs from 14 women in active labor. The viscoelastic properties; the elastic modulus (G') and the viscous modulus (G") were determined by an oscillatory rheometer. The concentrations of TFF1-3 were measured by an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associations were analyzed by random-effects generalized least-squares regression analyses. RESULTS: Median (range) concentrations of TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3 were 3.1 (1.2-8.6), 1.1 (<0.006-3.7) and 1000 (170-5300) nmol/g cervical mucus plug, respectively. The TFF3 concentration was associated with G' (regression coefficient 11.7 Pa/Log nm; 95% CI 3.0-20.4, p = 0.009) and G" (regression coefficient 3.2 Pa/Log nm; 95% CI 1.5-5.0, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We suggest that TFF3 plays a role in the viscoelastic properties of the cervical mucus plug.
Authors: Michael A Järvå; James P Lingford; Alan John; Niccolay Madiedo Soler; Nichollas E Scott; Ethan D Goddard-Borger Journal: Nat Commun Date: 2020-05-13 Impact factor: 14.919
Authors: Ramiro Vilchez-Vargas; Franz Salm; Eva B Znalesniak; Katharina Haupenthal; Denny Schanze; Martin Zenker; Alexander Link; Werner Hoffmann Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2022-02-04 Impact factor: 5.923