Differential expression of transforming growth factor-beta I and transforming growth factor-beta receptors in myometrium of women with failed induction of labor, no labor, and preterm labor
N. Chegini et al., Differential expression of transforming growth factor-beta I and transforming growth factor-beta receptors in myometrium of women with failed induction of labor, no labor, and preterm labor, J SOC GYN I, 6(5), 1999, pp. 258-263
Citations number
35
Categorie Soggetti
Reproductive Medicine
Journal title
JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR GYNECOLOGIC INVESTIGATION
OBJECTIVE: Comparative analysis of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-b
eta 1) and TGF-beta receptor type I and type II messenger RNA (mRNA) and pr
otein expression in myometrium of women who had unsuccessful labor inductio
n, with those without labor or in preterm labor complicated by chorioamnion
itis.
METHODS: Small segments of myometrium were collected from women who were un
dergoing cesarean delivery for unsuccessful labor induction (n = 5), electi
ve cesarean without labor (n = 5), or cesarean delivery for complications r
elated to preterm labor and chorioamnionitis (n = 5). Total RNA was isolate
d from these tissues and subjected to competitive quantitative reverse-tran
scription-polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR) to determine the level of TG
F-beta 1, and TGF-beta type I and type II receptor mRNA expression. Tissue
sections were prepared from paraffin-embedded specimens and immunostained f
or TGF-beta 1 and receptor proteins using specific polycolonal antibodies.
The data were analyzed bu unpaired Student t test and Kruskal-Wallis analys
is of variance.
RESULTS: Myometrium from women who had unsuccessful labor induction express
ed higher levels of TGF-beta 1 mRNA (2.21 +/- 0.28 x 10(6) copies/mu g of t
otal cellular RNA) than those with preterm labor (4.53 +/- 0.2 x 10(5) copi
es), or without labor [3.13 +/- 2.6 x 10(4) copies (P < .05)]. The level of
TGF-beta type I receptor mRNA expression did not very; however, type II re
ceptor expression was significantly lower in myometrium from preterm labor
(1.36 +/- 0.36 x 10(5) copies) compared with those from unsuccessful labor
induction (3.42 +/- 0.42 x 10(6) copies) or without labor (9.65 +/- 3.2 x 1
0(5) copies). Immunoreactive TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta receptor proteins were
present in all myometrial tissues, and their intensity reflected that of t
he mRNA expression in these tissues.
CONCLUSION: TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta type II receptors are expressed differe
ntly in myometrium of women who had unsuccessful labor induction compared w
ith those without labor or with preterm labor complicated by chorioamnionit
is. Because TGF-beta is a key regulator of tissue remodeling which is centr
al to initiation of normal labor, alterations in TGF-beta and/or TGF-beta r
eceptor expression may lead to changes in the outcome of labor, at least at
the myometrial level. Copyright (C) 1999 by the Society for Gynecologic In
vestigation.