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  • Title: Elafin (SKALP/Trappin-2/proteinase inhibitor-3) is produced by the cervix in pregnancy and cervicovaginal levels are diminished in bacterial vaginosis.
    Author: Stock SJ, Duthie L, Tremaine T, Calder AA, Kelly RW, Riley SC.
    Journal: Reprod Sci; 2009 Dec; 16(12):1125-34. PubMed ID: 19723838.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: To examine cervicovaginal elafin production in pregnancy and determine its relationship in bacterial vaginosis. STUDY DESIGN: Samples of cervicovaginal secretions were collected from women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies (n = 112) below 20 weeks gestation. Bacterial flora was assessed using Nugent's criteria, and levels of elafin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA). Elafin expression in the cervix was also examined by immunohistochemistry. In vitro expression of elafin was examined using cervix and vaginal cell lines. RESULTS: Elafin is expressed in the cervical glandular epithelium. Elafin was found in all 112 samples of cervicovaginal secretions and levels were diminished in women with bacterial vaginosis (P < .05). Interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) stimulated elafin expression in cells derived from the endocervix, but not in those derived from the vaginal epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Elafin is a component of cervicovaginal secretions in pregnancy, and levels are diminished in bacterial vaginosis. It may be an important component of innate immunity in the lower genital tract.
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