Imbalances between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in maternal serum during preterm labor.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) during pregnancy and parturition. Aberrant ECM degradation by MMPs or an imbalance between MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of preterm labor, how...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Inge Tency, Hans Verstraelen, Ivo Kroes, Gabriële Holtappels, Bruno Verhasselt, Mario Vaneechoutte, Rita Verhelst, Marleen Temmerman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2012-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3493509?pdf=render