Proteomic analysis of amniotic fluid to identify potential targets predicting preterm delivery.

Preterm delivery is a common complication of pregnancy which leads to significant neonatal mortality and morbidity. Identifying predictive markers linked to spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD) is important for effective treatment and prevention of PTD. To explore potential biomarkers related to SPTD, we performed proteomics analysis in amniotic fluid (AF). In total, we enrolled 30 pregnant women with singleton gestation who underwent clinically indicated amniocentesis at 15-24 weeks of gestation. LC-MS analysis was used to analyze the AF samples of 10 women with SPTD < 34 weeks after cervix cerclage (Preterm group), 10 women with term delivery (TD) ≥ 34 weeks after cervix cerclage (Term group), and 10 women who delivered at term (Normal group). ELISA validation was performed for candidate proteins in a second independent cohort. As a result, we identified 44 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs, P < 0.05) via proteomic analysis, and based on that, 9 primary pathways were also determined in SPTD. Results of the ELISA assay confirmed that the increased concentration of Serpin A1, decreased concentrations of Renin and IGFBP4 were significantly associated with SPTD at ≤34 weeks.