Elevated sTREM-1 levels in maternal serum during term and preterm labor

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess concentrations of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM)-1 in maternal serum during term and preterm labor (PTL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 176 singleton pregnancies in the following groups: (1) preterm birth, delivered before 34 weeks gestation (PTB) (n=52); (2) preterm (PT) not in labor, matched for gestational age (GA) with the PTB group (n=52); (3) women with an episode of PTL who delivered at term (n=10); (4) AT in labor (n=40) and (5) AT not in labor (n=32). Serum concentrations of sTREM-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: sTREM-1 was detected in all serum samples. Median sTREM-1 concentrations were significantly higher in women with PTB vs. PT not in labor (367.3 pg/ml, interquartile range (IQR) 303.9-483.1 vs. 272.7 pg/ml, IQR 207.7-334.1; P<0.001) and in women AT in labor vs. AT not in labor (300.0 pg/ml, IQR 239.1-353.0 vs. 227.6 pg/ml, IQR 173.9-284.7; P<0.001). Women with PTB had significantly higher levels of sTREM-1 compared to women AT in labor (367.3 pg/ml, IQR 303.9-483.1 vs. 300.0 pg/ml, IQR 239.1-353.0; P=0.004). No significant differences in sTREM-1 levels were observed between patients with PTB (only those presented with PTL and intact membranes) vs. women with an episode of PTL and at term delivery (367.3 pg/ml, IQR 303.2-436.2 vs. 311.8 pg/ml, IQR 188.7-408.4; P=0.23). CONCLUSION: sTREM-1 is upregulated in serum of women during term and preterm labor, suggesting a role for sTREM-1 in the inflammatory response during labor.