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Absence of phospholipase A2 activity in genital Mycoplasma hominis
T Walther1, H Stepan, L Baumann
1Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine Berlin-Buch, Germany. thowal@mdc-berlin.de
Abstract:
The clinical relevance of vaginal colonization with Mycoplasma hominis (M hominis) as a cause of prematurity is doubtful. One of the possible pathways which could explain the role of M hominis in the induction of preterm labour is an increased synthesis of prostaglandins by a phospholipase A2 activity. The aim of this study was to prove whether M hominis secrets proteins with a PLA2 activity and to test whether there are strain differences in the enzyme activity between M hominis isolated from women with normal pregnancy and those with preterm labour. Using specific radio-immunoassay we could not measure any PLA2 activity in the supernatant of all investigated M hominis strains. We exclude the mechanism of induction of preterm labour by M hominis via an increased prostaglandin synthesis. Our findings make a relation between vaginal colonization with M hominis and prematurity unlikely.
Insights
Vaginal colonization with Mycoplasma hominis (M hominis) is unlikely to cause preterm labor. Studies found no evidence of M hominis secreting phospholipase A2, an enzyme linked to prostaglandin synthesis and premature birth.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Microbiology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Vaginal colonization with Mycoplasma hominis (M hominis) is common.
- The role of M hominis in causing preterm labor is debated.
- A proposed mechanism involves M hominis phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity increasing prostaglandin synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if M hominis secretes proteins with PLA2 activity.
- To compare PLA2 activity in M hominis strains from normal pregnancies versus preterm labor cases.
Main Methods:
- Investigated M hominis strains from pregnant women.
- Assayed culture supernatants for PLA2 activity using radio-immunoassay.
Main Results:
- No detectable PLA2 activity was found in the supernatants of any M hominis strains tested.
- No significant differences in enzyme activity were observed between strains from different pregnancy outcomes.
Conclusions:
- M hominis does not appear to induce preterm labor through increased prostaglandin synthesis via secreted PLA2.
- The clinical relevance of M hominis vaginal colonization in causing prematurity is unlikely.