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- Cluff, AH, et al.
(författare)
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Prolonged labour associated with lower expression of syndecan 3 and connexin 43 in human uterine tissue
- 2006
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Ingår i: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1477-7827. ; 4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Prolonged labour is associated with greater morbidity and mortality for mother and child. Connexin 43 is a major myometrial gap junction protein found in human myometrium. Syndecan 3 seems to prevail in the human uterus among heparan sulphate proteoglycans, showing the most significant increase during labour. The aims of the present study were to investigate syndecan 3 and connexin 43 mRNA expressions and protein distributions in human uterine tissue during normal and prolonged labour. Methods: Uterine isthmic biopsies were collected from non-pregnant (n = 7), term pregnant women not in labour (n = 14), in normal labour (n = 7) and in prolonged labour (n = 7). mRNA levels of syndecan 3 and connexin 43 were determined by real time RT-PCR. The localization and expression were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. Results: In women with prolonged labour, the mRNA expressions of syndecan 3 and Connexin 43 were considerably lower than the expression level at normal labour (p < 0.05). In term-pregnant tissue, the expression of syndecan 3 and connexin 43 did not differ significantly compared to nonpregnant and normal labour. The immunoreactivity of syndecan 3 was strong at normal labour, in contrast to prolonged labour, where both a weaker expression and an irregular distribution were detected. The immunoreactivity of connexin 43 increased until term and further stronger staining occurred at normal labour. At prolonged labour, the immunoreactivity was weaker and more unevenly distributed. At labour, a co-localization of syndecan 3 and connexin 43 could be demonstrated in the smooth muscle by confocal microscopy. Conclusion: The high expression of syndecan 3 and connexin 43 and their co-localization to the smooth muscle bundles during normal labour, together with the significant reduction in prolonged labour, may indicate a role for these proteins in the co-ordination of myometrial contractility.
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| 4. |
- Tornblom, SA, et al.
(författare)
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MRNA expression and localization of bNOS, eNOS and iNOS in human cervix at preterm and term labour
- 2005
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Ingår i: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1477-7827. ; 3:33
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Preterm birth is the primary cause of the neonatal mortality and morbidity. There will be no preterm birth without a cervical softening. Nitric oxide ( NO) is shown to be a mediator of term cervical ripening. The aim of this study was to investigate mRNA expression of the three isomers of NO synthases ( NOS) and to identify them by immunohistochemistry in the human cervix at preterm birth compared to term. Methods: The three isomers of NOS- inducible ( iNOS), endothelial ( eNOS) and neuronal ( bNOS) - were investigated in the human cervix. The expression of mRNA was determined using RealTime Multiplex RT- PCR. The localisation of synthases in the cervical tissue was analysed using immunohistochemistry. Cervical biopsies were obtained from 4 groups of women without clinical signs of infection: preterm ( PTL), term labour ( TL), preterm not in labour ( PTnotL) and term not in labour ( TnotL) patients. One- Way ANOVA, Kruskal- Wallis, Student t- test or Mann- Whitney test were applied as appropriate to determine statistically significant differences among the groups. Results: Patients in preterm labour had significantly ( p < 0.01) higher mRNA levels of all the three NOS isomers compared to those in term labour. Women not in labour, irrespective of gestational age, thus with unripe cervices, had significantly lower eNOS mRNA levels compared to those in labour ( p < 0.01). Immunoreactivity for all three NO synthases was observed in each examined sample in all groups. The bNOS staining was the most prominent. Conclusion: The mRNA levels were higher in the preterm labour group compared to the women at term labour. The significant increase of the eNOS mRNA expression, from the unripe to the favourable cervical state during labour, may indicate a role of eNOS and supports the role of NO in the cervical ripening process. All the three synthases were identified by immunohistochemistry in all the groups of study.
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