High Mobility Group-Box 1 (HMGB1) levels are increased in amniotic fluid of women with intra-amniotic inflammation-determined preterm birth, and the source may be the damaged fetal membranes.

BACKGROUND: High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB1) is considered a prototype alarmin molecule. Upon its extracellular release, HMGB1 engages pattern recognition receptors and the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE) followed by an outpouring of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6. METHODS: We assayed the amniotic fluid (AF) levels of HMGB1 and IL-6 in 255 women that either had a normal pregnancy outcome or delivered preterm. Immunohistochemistry on fetal membranes was used for cellular localization and validation of immunoassay findings. HMGB1 also was analyzed in amniochorion tissue explants subjected to endotoxin. RESULTS: AF HMGB1 levels are not gestational age regulated but are increased in women with intra-amniotic inflammation and preterm birth. The likely source is the damaged amniochorion, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and explant experiments. CONCLUSIONS: Our research supports a role for HMGB1 in the inflammatory response leading to preterm birth. As a delayed phase cytokine, in utero exposure to elevated AF HMGB1 levels may have an impact on the newborn beyond the time of birth.

Characterization of RAGE, HMGB1, and S100beta in inflammation-induced preterm birth and fetal tissue injury.

Immune activation represents an adaptive reaction triggered by both noxious exogenous (microbes) and endogenous [high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1), S100 calcium binding proteins] inducers of inflammation. Cell stress or necrosis lead the release of HMGB1 and S100 proteins in the extracellular compartment where they act as damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (or alarmins) by engaging the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE). Although the biology of RAGE is dictated by the accumulation of damage-associated molecular pattern molecules at sites of tissue injury, the role of RAGE in mediating antenatal fetal injury remains unknown. First, we studied the relationships at birth between the intensity of human fetal inflammation and sRAGE (an endogenous RAGE antagonist), HMGB1, and S100beta protein. We found significantly lower sRAGE in human fetuses that mounted robust inflammatory responses. HMGB1 levels correlated significantly with levels of interleukin-6 and S100beta in fetal circulation. We then evaluated the levels and areas of tissue expression of RAGE, HMGB1, and S100beta in specific organs of mouse fetuses on E16. Using an animal model of endotoxin-induced fetal damage and preterm birth, we determined that inflammation induces a significant change in expression of RAGE and HMGB1, but not S100beta, at sites of tissue damage. Our findings indicate that RAGE and HMGB1 may be important mediators of cellular injury in fetuses delivered in the setting of inflammation-induced preterm birth.

Using proteomics in perinatal and neonatal sepsis: hopes and challenges for the future.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Particularities of the fetal immune response to infection cause a heightened inflammatory state that acts synergistically with microbial insult to induce damage. Proteomics offers the opportunity for detecting fetuses at risk of sepsis and neurological injury. RECENT FINDINGS: Molecular tools (16S-rRNA) demonstrate that the diversity of microbial agents of intra-amniotic infection exceeds what is suspected clinically or is documented by cultures. The resulting inflammatory process has the potential to damage the fetus in utero. Stepwise algorithms (mass restricted score) have been developed to extract proteomic profiles characteristic of amniotic fluid inflammation. The mass restricted score includes four proteomic biomarkers: defensin-2, defensin-1, S100A12, and S100A8 proteins. Other amniotic fluid biomarkers relevant for preterm birth are S100A9 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1. S100A12 - ligand for the receptor of advanced glycation end products - has the strongest association with histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis. Presence of S100A12 and S100A8 in amniotic fluid is predictive of early-onset neonatal sepsis and poor neurodevelopmental outcome. SUMMARY: Presence of amniotic fluid proteomic biomarkers of inflammation is associated with increased inflammatory status of the fetus at birth. Future challenges are to find biomarkers that provide insight into molecular mechanisms of chronic fetal and neonatal cellular damage and to identify candidates for early neuroprotection strategies.

Use of the electrothermal vessel sealing system versus standard vessel ligation in thyroidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The electrothermal vessel sealing system (LigaSure) facilitates operative haemostasis by fusing blood vessel walls to form a collagen seal. The LigaSure is currently used in a variety of gastrointestinal, gynaecological and urological operations. We report our experience with LigaSure for thyroidectomy to test the hypothesis that it reduces operating time without increasing complications compared with standard vessel ligation. METHODS: This non-randomized, retrospective review included 234 consecutive patients who underwent thyroidectomy by one surgeon. Standard vessel ligation was used in 99 patients between 1997 and 2000, and the LigaSure was used in 135 patients between 2001 and 2003. The following data were collected: patient demographics, thyroid pathology, type of operation (total thyroidectomy vs lobectomy), operating time, complications (transient or permanent hypocalcaemia,

Retinoid X receptor-gamma and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma expression predicts thyroid carcinoma cell response to retinoid and thiazolidinedione treatment.

Poorly differentiated, metastatic thyroid cancer is difficult to treat. These tumors often do not concentrate radioactive iodine and may require chemotherapy, which is suboptimal and toxic. Nuclear hormone receptors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) are variably expressed in thyroid carcinoma cell lines. Expression of these receptors may predict thyroid cancer cell response to treatment with rexinoids and thiazolidinediones. We studied three thyroid carcinoma cell lines: BHP 5-16 (PPARgamma-/RXRgamma+), BHP 2-7 (PPARgamma+/-/RXRgamma-), and DRO-90 (RXRgamma+/PPARgamma+). BHP 5-16 (RXRgamma+) cells treated with rexinoid had decreased proliferation to 69 +/- 6% growth compared with vehicle. BHP 2-7 (PPARgamma+) cells treated with thiazolidinedione had no decrease in cellular proliferation. DRO-90 (RXRgamma+ and PPARgamma+) cells had 36 +/- 10%, 15 +/- 3%, and 13 +/- 4% growth when treated with rexinoid, thiazolidinedione, or a combination, respectively. We next investigated the role of apoptosis in the ligand-responsive BHP 5-16 and DRO-90 cells. BHP 5-16 cells underwent no significant apoptosis with rexinoid (1 micromol/L). DRO-90 cells, however, had 3.6 +/- 1.3% apoptotic cells with vehicle, 13 +/- 3.5% with rexinoid (1 micromol/L), 18 +/- 4% with thiazolidinedione (1 micromol/L), and 28 +/- 6% with combination treatment (1 micromol/L), suggesting that apoptosis plays a major role in this anaplastic cell line and that the effects of the two ligands are additive. We conclude that receptor expression is necessary for inhibition of thyroid carcinoma growth with ligand treatment but may not be sufficient for response. Additionally, expression of both RXRgamma and PPARgamma may be necessary for maximal growth inhibition by ligands and may be required for the increased apoptosis.

Activation of the receptor for advanced glycation end products system in women with severe preeclampsia.

CONTEXT: Activation of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) mediates cellular injury. Soluble forms of RAGE [soluble RAGE (sRAGE), endogenous secretory (esRAGE)] bind RAGE ligands, thereby preventing downstream signaling and damage. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to characterize the changes in maternal serum, amniotic fluid, and cord blood soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) during physiological gestation and to provide insight into mechanisms responsible for RAGE activation in preeclampsia. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: This was a cross-sectional study at a tertiary university hospital. PATIENTS: We studied 135 women in the following groups: nonpregnant controls (n = 16), healthy pregnant controls (n = 68), pregnant women with chronic hypertension (n = 13), or pregnant women with severe preeclampsia (sPE; n = 38). INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: sRAGE and esRAGE levels were evaluated in vivo by ELISA in maternal serum, amniotic fluid, and cord blood and in vitro after stimulation of the amniochorion and placental explants with lipopolysaccharide or xanthine/xanthine oxidase. Placenta and amniochorion were immunostained for RAGE. Real-time quantitative PCR measured RAGE mRNA. RESULTS: Pregnant women had significantly decreased serum sRAGE compared with nonpregnant subjects (P < 0.001). sPE women had higher serum and amniotic fluid sRAGE and esRAGE relative to those expected for gestational age (P < 0.001). Cord blood sRAGE remained unaffected by sPE. RAGE immunoreactivity and mRNA expression appeared elevated in the amniochorion of sPE women. Xanthine/xanthine oxidase (but not lipopolysaccharide) significantly up-regulated the release of sRAGE (P < 0.001) in the amniochorion explant system. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal membranes are a rich source of sRAGE. Elevated maternal serum and amniotic fluid sRAGE and esRAGE, paralleled by increased RAGE expression in the amniochorion, suggest activation of this system in sPE.