Molecular characterization of fibroblasts isolated from human peritoneum and adhesions

Objective: To determine the response of adhesion and peritoneal fibroblasts to hypoxia. Design: Prospective experimental study. Setting: University medical center. Patient(s): Primary cultures of fibroblasts established from the peritoneal and adhesion tissues of the same patients (n = 2) to minimize genetic vari ations. Intervention(s): Hypoxia treatment of the primary cultured fibroblast. Main Outcome Measure(s): Analyze the expression of extracellular matrix (EC M) components, metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors, growth facto rs, and cytokines in adhesion and peritoneal fibroblasts under normal and h ypoxic conditions by reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction analys is. Result(s): Compared to peritoneal fibroblasts, adhesion fibroblasts had a s ignificant increase in the basal mRNA levels for collagen 1, fibronectin, M MP-1, TLMP-1, TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, and IL-10. Hypoxia resulted in a furthe r increase in collagen 1, fibronectin, TIMP-1, TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, IL-10, and IFN-gamma mRNA levels in both peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts. The increase was more profound in adhesion fibroblasts. Conclusion(s): Hypoxia induces molecular changes in both peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts, cre ating a milieu that favors adhesion development. The effect of hypoxia was more profound on adhesion fibroblasts. (Fertil Steril (R) 2001;75:763-8. (C ) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).