Characterization of the transcriptome of chorioamniotic membranes at the site of rupture in spontaneous labor at term

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the transcriptome between the site of membrane rupture and the chorioamniotic membranes away from the site of rupture. STUDY DESIGN: The transcriptome of amnion and chorion (n = 20 each) from and distal to the site of rupture from women with spontaneous labor and vaginal delivery at term after spontaneous rupture of membranes was profiled with Illumina HumanHT-12 microarrays. Selected genes were validated with the use of quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Six hundred seventy-seven genes were differentially expressed in the chorion between the rupture and nonrupture sites (false discovery rate <0.1; fold change >1.5). Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction confirmed the differential expression in 10 of 14 genes. Enriched biological processes included anatomic structure development, cell adhesion and signal transduction. Extracellular matrix-receptor interaction was the most impacted signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: The transcriptome of fetal membranes after spontaneous rupture of membranes in term labor is characterized by region- and tissue-specific differential expression of genes that are involved in signature pathways, which include extracellular matrix-receptor interactions.