Proteomic analysis of amniotic fluid and identification of gasotransmitter-producing proteins as markers of complicated pregnancy and prediction of postpartum pathology

Authors / Institutions

Tatiana N. Pogorelova / Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation

Viktoriya O. Gunko / Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation

Anastasiya A. Nikashina / Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation

Artur A. Mikhelson / Ural Research Institute of Maternity and Infant Care, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation

Elizaveta Yu. Lebedenko / Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation

Anna D. Fabrikant / Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation

Angelina V. Bespalaya / Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation

Objective. To study the amniotic fluid proteome, to identify gasotransmitter-producing proteins and to evaluate their role as markers of pre-eclampsia (PE) and prediction of the early neonatal period course.
Patients and methods. Fifty-eight women were examined. The study group included 28 women who had pregnancy complicated by PE; the control group consisted of 30 women with normal pregnancy. The protein composition of amniotic fluid was determined by high resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Sulfur-containing proteins, which are the sources of gasotransmitter SH2, were identified according to standard normal tables.
Results. It was found that the development of PE is accompanied by significant changes in the amniotic fluid proteome. Four sulfur-containing proteins were found to be absent: retinol-binding protein (S-S- and SH-groups); fatty-acid-binding protein (S-S-groups); carbonyl reductase NAD+ (SH-groups), and haptoglobin (SH-groups). These proteins are involved in cell protection against oxidative and carbonyl stress, in maintaining the integrity of biomembranes and providing the fetus with necessary nutrients. Two additional membrane-bound proteins with high level secretion were found in women with PE, which also contribute negatively to the development of this obstetric pathology due to their pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant
properties.
Conclusion. The revealed protein imbalance may be one of the primary factors of molecular disorders in the fetoplacental complex in PE.
Key words: gasotransmitters, amniotic fluid, pre-eclampsia, proteomic composition, sulfur-containing proteins
For citation: Pogorelova T.N., Gunko V.O., Nikashina A.A., Mikhelson A.A., Lebedenko E.Yu., Fabrikant A.D., Bespalaya A.V. Proteomic analysis of amniotic fluid and identification of gasotransmitter-producing proteins as markers of complicated pregnancy and prediction of postpartum pathology. Vopr. ginekol. akus. perinatol. (Gynecology, Obstetrics and Perinatology). 2022; 21(1): 12–18. (In Russian). DOI: 10.20953/1726-1678-2022-1-12-18