Xue Feng-Qin, Xu Dan, Zhao Shu-Rui, Ma Ying, Zhao Ye
The First Clinical Medical School, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
Department of Gynecology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, 85 South Jiefang Road, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China.
Open Life Sci. 2025 Mar 21;20(1):20221058. doi: 10.1515/biol-2022-1058. eCollection 2025.
The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanism of action and correlation between transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and β-catenin in pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The study compared vaginal wall tissues from two groups: 20 patients with POP (POP group) and 20 who had hysterectomies for benign conditions (control group). Hematoxylin and Eosin and Masson staining visualized collagen, while TUNEL staining detected apoptosis. Protein and mRNA expression levels of TGF-β1, β-catenin, matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2), and collagen, type I, alpha 1 (COL1A1) were assessed using immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blot techniques. Relationships between the protein expressions of TGF-β1 and β-catenin, β-catenin and COL1A1, and TGF-β1 and COL1A1 were analyzed. In the POP group, vaginal wall collagen fibers were sparse, disorganized, and fragmented, with fewer fibers and more apoptotic cells compared to the control group. Protein and mRNA levels of TGF-β1, β-catenin, TIMP2, and COL1A1 were significantly lower, while MMP2 was higher ( < 0.05). Positive correlations were found between TGF-β1, β-catenin, and COL1A1. Reduced TGF-β1 and β-catenin levels may trigger POP by affecting pelvic floor collagen metabolism.
本研究旨在探讨转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）与β-连环蛋白在盆腔器官脱垂（POP）中的作用机制及相关性。该研究比较了两组阴道壁组织：20例盆腔器官脱垂患者（POP组）和20例因良性疾病行子宫切除术的患者（对照组）。苏木精-伊红染色和Masson染色观察胶原蛋白，TUNEL染色检测细胞凋亡。采用免疫组织化学、定量实时聚合酶链反应和蛋白质印迹技术评估TGF-β1、β-连环蛋白、基质金属蛋白酶2（MMP2）、金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂2（TIMP2）和I型胶原α1（COL1A1）的蛋白质和mRNA表达水平。分析了TGF-β1与β-连环蛋白、β-连环蛋白与COL1A1以及TGF-β1与COL1A1的蛋白质表达之间的关系。在POP组中，阴道壁胶原纤维稀疏、紊乱且断裂，与对照组相比，纤维较少且凋亡细胞较多。TGF-β1、β-连环蛋白、TIMP2和COL1A1的蛋白质和mRNA水平显著降低，而MMP2水平较高（P<0.05）。TGF-β1、β-连环蛋白和COL1A1之间存在正相关。TGF-β1和β-连环蛋白水平降低可能通过影响盆底胶原代谢引发盆腔器官脱垂。
