Matrix metalloproteinase −12: A marker of preeclampsia?

Enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), play a significant role in trophoblast invasion – the cornerstone of preeclampsia pathogenesis. This study aimed to explore the dynamics of the MMP-12 concentration in blood serum during the gestational period at determined weeks in preeclampsia and physiological pregnancy to compare the results with the expression of MMP-12 in placental tissue and reveal the MMP-12 predicting role in preeclampsia. Circulating serum MMP-12 was significantly decreased. The level of 0.5 ng/ml had high sensitivity and low false positivity at 11–13 weeks of pregnancy in women destined to develop pre-eclampsia in the case-control study. The dynamics curve of serum MMP-12 varied between study groups: a sharp decrease in MMP-12 concentration was found from the first trimester to the second trimester, followed by a slight increase in the third trimester of pregnancy in controls compared to the increase in concentration from the first trimester to the second trimester in pre-eclampsia. The absence of a significant difference in the concentration of MMP-12 in the II and III trimesters as well as no difference in the expression of MMP-12 protein in placental tissue in the third trimester indicates a decrease in its role after the end of placentation. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show the dynamics of serum MMP-12 concentration during the gestational period and indicates a significant role for MMP-12 in the initial stages of placentation. The data obtained may pave the way to new early prediction strategies for preeclampsia. •This study aimed to reveal the role of matrix metalloproteinase-12 in preeclampsia.•MMP-12 plays a significant role at the initial stages of placentation.•Serum MMP-12 concentration is a good candidate for preeclampsia early prediction.