Localization of transforming growth factor beta isoforms TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, and TGF-beta 3 in surgically induced pelvic adhesions in the rat.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the presence and cellular distribution of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta s in surgically induced pelvic fibrous adhesions in rat uterine horns subjected to burn, crush, and debridement injury.


METHODS
Thirty injured and 20 uninjured rats were treated postoperatively with intraperitoneal administration of either 2 micrograms/mL of recombinant human TGF-beta, 10 micrograms/mL TGF-beta neutralizing antibody, or phosphate-buffered saline + 500 micrograms rat serum albumin for 5 consecutive days. The intact (uninjured) and fibrous tissues were analyzed immunohistochemically for the presence of TGF-beta s using polyclonal antibodies to TGF-beta s 1-3.


RESULTS
The intact peritoneum immunostained with a lower intensity than fibrous adhesive tissues for TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, and TGF-beta 3. The immunoreactive TGF-beta s were present in fibroblasts, inflammatory cells infiltrated into the fibrous adhesion, and endothelial and smooth-muscle cells of the arterioles. In the uterine tissue at the site of injury, the following immunostained for TGF-beta s: uterine serosal tissue, myometrial smooth-muscle cells, endometrial luminal and glandular epithelial cells, and inflammatory cells. However, endometrial stromal cells did not immunostain for TGF-beta s. There were no substantial differences in immunostaining intensities of fibrous adhesive tissues in the TGF-beta group, neutralizing TGF-beta antibody group, and the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that TGF-beta s may play a role in the formation and maintenance of fibrous adhesions following intraperitoneal injury.
Chegini
N
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Gold
L I
LI
Williams
R S
RS
Masterson
B J
BJ
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta