Problem: This study was aimed to isolate cDNAs for genes whose expression levels are dynamically regulated at the feto-maternal interface around parturition.
Method: The suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method was used to compare the gene expression patterns of human choriodecidual membranes from term elective Caesarian delivery before labor (BL) and term vaginal delivery (VD). Northern blotting, quantitative real-time RT-PCR and in situ hybridization were performed to determine temporal and spatial expression of candidate clones.
Result: After SSH procedure, we selected decorin from the cDNA library of BL for further investigation. The mean level of decorin transcription tended to be higher in BL samples than in VD or preterm samples. Decorin mRNA was mainly expressed in the decidual cells. Decorin gene expression was also upregulated in the term myometrium.
Conclusion: These results suggest that dynamically increased expression of decorin in the choriodecidual membrane during parturition may be a part of the uterine preparation for labor.