Pre-labour Fetal Membranes Overlying the Cervix Display Alterations in Inflammation and NF-κB Signalling Pathways

To generate new insights into the process of fetal membrane rupture, we have developed a technique whereby fetal membranes overlying the cervix (i.e. supracervical site, SCS) are tagged in women undergoing term elective Caesarean section. The specific aim is to determine the effect of supracervical apposition on the release of inflammatory mediators and NF-κB signalling in pre-labour fetal membranes. Fetal membranes were collected from both the SCS and from a distal site (DS). The level of NF-κB proteins and its transcriptional co-activator protein CBP and p300 was determined by Western blotting and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC), and cytokine and prostaglandin release was quantified by enzyme immunoassay. Tissues obtained before labour at term possess an area of the fetal membranes (i.e. supracervical site) that exhibit decreased release of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and PGE2. IHC revealed that NF-κB signalling proteins, CBP and p300 were significantly increased in SC fetal membranes compared to distal membranes. In summary, data from this study confirm that supracervical fetal membranes display altered structural and biochemical characteristics.