Expression of NLRP1 in the fetal membranes and placenta of patients with premature rupture of membranes and its clinical significance

ObjectiveTo investigate the levels of NOD-like receptor protein-1 (NLRP1) in the fetal membrane and placenta of patients with premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and to find out the role of NLRP1 in PROM. MethodsA total of 60 PROM patients who delivered in our hospital from October 2015 to September 2016 selected, including 30 patients with preterm premature rupture of the membrane (PPROM) ( gestational age: 28 to 36 weeks) and 30 patients with term premature rupture of membranes (TPROM) (more than 37 weeks). Meanwhile, another 60 patients without PROM were selected and divided into two groups (n=30): a preterm control group (28 to 36 weeks) and a term control group (more than 37 weeks). The levels of NLRP1 in the placenta and fatal membrane were measured by immunohistochemistry-streptavidin perosidase method. The amount of NLRP1 mRNAin the placenta and fatal membrane were examined by RT-PCR. ResultsNLRP1 mainly existed in the epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells with little differentiation of the fatal membrane. The TPROM group showed a positive rate of NLRP1 which was higher than those in other groups (P<0.05). The PPROM group and the preterm control group were statistical different (P<0.05). No statistical difference was found between the PPROM group and the term control group (P<0.05). The TPROM group showed a remarkably higher level of NLRP1 mRNA than other groups (P<0.05). The level of NLRP1 mRNA was higher in the PPROM group than that in the preterm control group (P<0.05). No statistical difference was found between the PPROM group and the term control group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe increase of NLRP1 expression in the placenta and fetal membrane may be related to PROM. The mechanisms of PPROM and TPROM might be different.