After IL-1β treatment, the glycosaminoglycan content and the expression of the phenotypic genes in the IUGR group were decreased more severely (P < 0.01, Fig. 1b–d, f), while the mRNA expression levels of MMP3, MMP13, and ADAMTS5 were dramatically increased (P < 0.01, Fig. 1e). This evidence concerns the gene MMP3 and fetal growth restriction.