Fetal membrane distention - I. Differentially expressed genes regulated byacute distention in amniotic epithelial (WISH) cells

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine which genes were up-regul ated by acute distention in an amniotic epithelial cell line and in human f etal membranes. STUDY DESIGN: WISH cells, a human amniotic epithelial cell line, were grown on silicone elastomer sheets coated with extracellular matrix and reproduc ibly distended by 40% in a novel device for 4 hours. Differential gene expr ession was analyzed by means of suppression subtractive hybridization. Expr ession of the identified genes was then quantitated by Northern blot analys is in fetal membrane explants after distention in the same device for 4 hou rs. The effect of distention on apoptosis of the cells and tissue samples w as concomitantly studied by means of the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transfer ase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling method. RESULTS: The genes for interleukin 8 and pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor were found to be up-regulated in both the WISH cells and the distended fet al membranes. The apoptotic index values in both the cells and the tissue s amples were unaffected by distention. CONCLUSIONS: Acute distention induces the up-regulation of interleukin 8 an d pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor in both WISH cells and human fetal mem branes and does not cause apoptosis.