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Myeloid-related protein-8/14 is associated with proinflammatory cytokines in cervical mucus

Kotaro Kunimi1, Masahiko Maegawa, Masaharu Kamada

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Health Biosciences, University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.

Journal of Reproductive Immunology
|June 30, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Myeloid-related protein-8/14 (MRP-8/14) is present in cervical mucus and correlates with inflammatory cytokines. Elevated MRP-8/14 in cervical mucus may indicate uterine cervix inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Myeloid-related proteins (MRP-8 and MRP-14) are key components of the host defense system, implicated in various inflammatory conditions.
  • Their presence and role in human cervical mucus, particularly in relation to inflammation, remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the concentrations of MRP-8, MRP-14, and the MRP-8/14 complex in human cervical mucus.
  • To investigate the association between MRP-8/14 levels and key proinflammatory cytokines within the cervical mucus environment.

Main Methods:

  • Cervical mucus samples were collected from 97 sexually active women during the preovulatory phase using syringes.
  • Additional samples from seven women were collected via swabs across different menstrual cycle phases (proliferative, preovulatory, luteal).
  • Concentrations of MRP-8, MRP-14, MRP-8/14, IL-1alpha, IL-6, IL-8, and granulocyte elastase were determined using ELISA.

Main Results:

  • Mean concentrations of MRP-8, MRP-14, and MRP-8/14 in cervical mucus were 1.87, 0.46, and 23.90 µg/ml, respectively.
  • MRP-8/14 levels demonstrated significant positive correlations with IL-1alpha, IL-8, and granulocyte elastase concentrations (all p<0.0001).
  • No significant variations in MRP-8/14 levels were observed across different phases of the menstrual cycle within individual patients.

Conclusions:

  • Myeloid-related protein-8/14 (MRP-8/14) is consistently detected in human cervical mucus.
  • The positive correlation of MRP-8/14 with proinflammatory cytokines suggests its involvement in local inflammatory responses.
  • MRP-8/14 in cervical mucus may serve as a valuable biomarker for detecting uterine cervix inflammation.

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