Differential expression of matrix metalloproteinases in the fallopian tube of women with Chlamydia trachomatis-associated tubal ectopic pregnancy

Chlamydia trachomatis is an established risk factor for ectopic pregnancy (EP) in fallopian tube (FT). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have potential role in disease pathogenesis, however, dysregulation of extracellular matrix by MMPs/TIMPs (tissue inhibitors of MMPs) in infection-associated EP remains unknown. The aim was to study the expression of MMP-2, -9, -14/TIMP-1, -2, -3 in C. trachomatis-positive tubal EP patients. The study comprised of 100 tubal EP (Group I) and 100 tubal ligation patients (Group II; controls) enrolled from Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, VMMC and Safdarjung hospital, New Delhi (India) for collection of FT. Detection of C. trachomatis MOMP was done by PCR while quantitative expression of MMPs/TIMPs was studied by real-time PCR. Data was statistically evaluated by Graphpad prism. Overall, C. trachomatis was found in 18/100 tubal EP patients. After ruling out Neisseria gonnorhoeae and Mycoplasma genitalium, Group I was divided into Group Ia (C. trachomatis DNA-positive) and Group Ib (C. trachomatis DNA-negative; internal controls). Significant upregulation of MMP-2, -9, -14 and downregulated TIMP-1, -2, -3 were found in Group Ia versus controls (Groups Ib/II) (p < 0.05). Fold-change in MMP was significantly higher in Group Ia versus controls ('p' < 0.05). Maximum 5.5-fold upregulation was found in MMP-2. It is apparent by molecular analysis that differential expression of MMPs/TIMPs, particularly enhanced MMP-2 leads to tubal EP in C. trachomatis DNApositive women.

Automated summary

This study investigated the expression of MMP-2, -9, -14/TIMP-1, -2, -3 in C. trachomatis-positive tubal EP patients. The results showed upregulated expression of MMP-2, -9, and -14, as well as downregulated expression of TIMP-1, -2, and -3 in C. trachomatis-positive patients compared to controls. The fold-change in MMP expression was significantly higher in C. trachomatis-positive patients, with MMP-2 showing the greatest upregulation. These findings suggest that dysregulation of MMPs/TIMPs, particularly enhanced MMP-2 expression, may play a role in the development of tubal EP in C. trachomatis-positive women.