Contraction of cultured human uterine smooth muscle cells after stimulation with endothelin-1.
To our knowledge, the problem of how to maintain isolated smooth cells in a "contractile" phenotypic state without deviation after subculturing has yet to be resolved. The present study characterized the in vitro contractile response of human uterine smooth muscle cell to endothelin-1, which induces contractions in isolated uterine strips. Contractile effects were qualitatively investigated using silicone rubber substrata. Endothelin-1 was able to distort and reduce the wrinkles in the silicone surface. Contractions were also quantified by measuring the resulting change in the collagen lattice area. Endothelin-1 significantly increased the contractile response in a dose-dependent manner by selectively activating endothelin A receptors. When myometrial cells were cultured within collagen lattices, a microfilament-disrupting agent, cytochalasin B, abolished contractions, and no change was observed in smooth muscle alpha-actin immunostaining. Taken together, these observations show that the uterine smooth muscle cells are contractile and respond appropriately to a potent uterotonic agent. Based on these findings, a cultured uterine smooth muscle cell model, which could be used to elucidate the mechanisms controlling uterine activity, is proposed.
Dallot
Emmanuelle
E
INSERM U 361, Université René Descartes, Pavillon Baudelocque, 75014 Paris, France.
Pouchelet
Marcel
M
Gouhier
Nelly
N
Cabrol
Dominique
D
Ferré
Françoise
F
Breuiller-Fouché
Michelle
M
D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology; D003571:Cytochalasin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009215:Myometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000502:physiology; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*
D019332:Endothelin-1; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D003571:Cytochalasin B; D003094:Collagen