Stygar Denis, Wang Hong, Vladic Ylva Stjernholm, Ekman Gunvor, Eriksson Håkan, Sahlin Lena
Division for Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden.
Biol Reprod. 2002 Sep;67(3):889-94. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.102.005116.
The human uterine cervix is a fibrous organ with a high connective tissue content. An extensive remodeling of the connective tissue prior to parturition, i.e., cervical ripening, requires the presence of proteolytic enzymes. The exact mechanism of cervical ripening has not been clarified. We evaluated in vivo distribution and expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in the human cervix at term pregnancy and immediately after parturition compared with the nonpregnant state. Cervical biopsies were obtained from term pregnant, postpartum, and nonpregnant women. MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins were localized by immunohistochemistry. Messenger RNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were evaluated by relative quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using an invariable internal standard. The mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased in the cervix at term pregnancy and postpartum compared with the nonpregnant state. Cervical stromal fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells were identified as main sources of MMP-2, whereas the MMP-9 protein was observed exclusively in invading leukocytes. These data indicate the involvement of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the cervical ripening process.
人类子宫颈是一个结缔组织含量很高的纤维性器官。分娩前结缔组织的广泛重塑，即宫颈成熟，需要蛋白水解酶的存在。宫颈成熟的确切机制尚未阐明。我们评估了妊娠足月和产后即刻与非妊娠状态相比，基质金属蛋白酶2和9（MMP - 2和MMP - 9）在人宫颈中的体内分布和表达。从足月妊娠、产后和非妊娠妇女获取宫颈活检组织。通过免疫组织化学定位MMP - 2和MMP - 9蛋白。使用不变的内标通过相对定量逆转录 - 聚合酶链反应（RT - PCR）评估MMP - 2和MMP - 9的信使RNA水平。与非妊娠状态相比，妊娠足月和产后宫颈中MMP - 2和MMP - 9的mRNA水平升高。宫颈基质成纤维细胞和平滑肌细胞被确定为MMP - 2的主要来源，而MMP - 9蛋白仅在浸润的白细胞中观察到。这些数据表明MMP - 2和MMP - 9参与了宫颈成熟过程。
