Changes of the uterine proteoglycan distribution at term pregnancy and during labour.
OBJECTIVE
To characterise uterine proteoglycans and changes therein during pregnancy and labour.


METHODS
Uterine samples were collected from 6 non-pregnant, 10 term-pregnant and from 10 women in active labour. The proteoglycans were extracted by 4M guanidine hydrochloride and precipitated with Alcian Blue. They were separated by electrophoresis and identified by Western blotting.


RESULTS
Decorin was the dominating proteoglycan and smaller amounts of biglycan was found. A considerable amount of heparan sulphate proteoglycans was also detected. Decorin and biglycan decreased by 40% until term. The amount of heparan sulphate proteoglycans increased by 46% during active labour.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that a considerable remodelling of the uterine connective tissue occurs during pregnancy and labour. The decrease of decorin and biglycan and the increase of heparan sulphate proteoglycans may be important for normal myometrial contractions during labour.
Hjelm
Ann M
AM
Department of Woman and Child Health/Division for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institute/Karolinska Hospital, P.O. Box 140, S-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden. ann.hjelm@kbh.ki.se
Barchan
Karin
K
Malmström
Anders
A
Ekman-Ordeberg
Gunvor E
GE
D000328:Adult; D000423:Alcian Blue; D058578:Biglycan; D015153:Blotting, Western; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D058575:Decorin; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005260:Female; D019791:Guanidine; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D014590:Uterine Contraction; D014599:Uterus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology
C546884:BGN protein, human; D058578:Biglycan; C546878:DCN protein, human; D058575:Decorin; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D011509:Proteoglycans; D019791:Guanidine; D000423:Alcian Blue