Zong Wenjun, Zyczynski Halina M, Meyn Leslie A, Gordy Susan C, Moalli Pamela A
Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Apr;196(4):349.e1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2006.12.019.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sex steroid hormones on the overall expression profile of cellular matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in fibroblasts that are derived from arcus tendineus fasciae pelvis.
Arcus tendineus fasciae pelvis fibroblasts that originated from a premenopausal woman and a postmenopausal woman who was undergoing a prolapse repair were treated with physiologic concentrations of 17-beta-estradiol (E2), progesterone, E2 plus progesterone, and E2 plus ICI 182,780. Cellular expressions of the latent, active, and fragment forms of MMP-1 were analyzed quantitatively by Western immunoblotting.
The latent and fragment forms of MMP-1 were increased by E2, progesterone, and E2 plus progesterone. The active form of MMP-1 was not changed by either E2 or progesterone alone but was decreased significantly when both hormones were added together. ICI 182,780 inhibited the stimulatory effect of E2.
Fragmentation is a site of regulation of MMP-1 expression by hormones. Only E2 combined with progesterone decreased the active form of MMP-1, which suggests that both hormones are necessary to maintain the integrity of female pelvic floor.
