Altered Maternal Serum Matrix Metalloproteinases MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in Severe Early- and Late-Onset Preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether maternal serum matrix metalloproteinases 2, 3, 9, and 13 levels differ in early- and late-onset preeclampsia and uncomplicated pregnancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study was carried out in 125 pregnant women (29 with early-onset preeclampsia; 31 preeclamptic patients with late-onset preeclampsia; and 65 healthy pregnant controls). Levels of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 were measured in the maternal serum using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Maternal serum MMP-2 levels in both the groups of preeclamptic women were significantly higher than those in the controls. Levels of MMP-3 were significantly higher in preeclamptic patients with early-onset disease; however, the MMP-3 levels in patients with late-onset preeclampsia were similar to those observed in the control subjects. MMP-9 levels were lower whereas the levels of MMP-13 were higher in both preeclamptic groups of pregnant women than in the healthy controls, but these differences were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS One important finding of the present study was that MMP-3 appears to be involved solely in early-onset preeclampsia, but not in late-onset preeclampsia. Higher levels of MMP-2 and MMP-13 and lower levels of MMP-9 seem to be related to both early- and late-onset severe preeclampsia.