To evaluate the association between intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the amnion and preterm labour and delivery, we have assessed ICAM-1 mRNA abundance by Northern analysis and protein levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in samples of this tissue after term and preterm delivery. The median ICAM-1 mRNA expression following preterm delivery (PTD, n=30) was 24 times greater (P< 0.05) than following elective caesarean section prior to labour at term (CST, n=14). ICAM-1 expression following vaginal delivery after spontaneous labour at term (SLT, n=11) was seven times greater than in the CST group (P< 0.05). The concentration of ICAM-1 protein in the PTD samples (n=31) was four-fold greater than (P< 0.05) in CST (n=14). It was also three-fold greater than in the SLT (n=15) samples (P< 0.05). The results were substantially the same when a preterm spontaneous labour group (PTL) (n=26), exclusive of deliveries complicated by pre-eclampsia (n=1) or intrauterine growth restriction (n=3), was compared to the CST and SLT groups. The ICAM-1 mRNA expression did not differ significantly (P=0.93) between PTL with (n=12) or without (n=14) indicators of intrauterine infection. The results were similar when ICAM-1 protein concentrations were compared (P=0.43) between these two groups. These findings indicate that ICAM-1 is expressed by the human amnion and that this expression is elevated with preterm labour and delivery.
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