Fetal Fibronectin and Preterm Labor

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Abstract
We applaud Lockwood et al. (Sept. 5 issue)1 for their multicenter study aimed at identifying a biochemical marker for preterm labor and delivery. However, it seems that the authors may have done themselves and the readers a disservice by not appreciating the implications of our previous collaborative efforts on this topic. For example, the cellular sources of "fetal" fibronectin had previously been unclear, but our studies revealed that the fibronectin was probably not fetal in origin. Specifically, using monoclonal antibody FDC-6 as an immunohistochemical probe, we found that oncofetal fibronectin is deposited by anchoring trophoblasts and chorionic trophoblasts in the extracellular matrix of the placental—uterine junction and chorion.2 3 4 Our studies further identified the FDC-6—reactive epitope on fibronectin that was actively synthesized, secreted, and deposited in the extracellular matrix by cultured human trophoblasts.2 , 3 These combined results gave us new insight into the possibility that the chorionic trophoblasts in the extracellular matrix might be an important source of cervicovaginal "fetal" fibronectin.4

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