The expression and function of the endothelin system in contractile properties of vaginal myofibroblasts of women with uterovaginal prolapse.
OBJECTIVE
The endothelin-1 system regulates (myo)fibroblast contraction in wound healing. Our aim was to determine endothelin-1 system expression and function in contractile properties of vaginal myofibroblasts of women with uterovaginal prolapse.


METHODS
Cultures of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblasts that were established at the time of repair surgery for prolapse (n = 30; mean age, 56 +/- 14 years) were analyzed and compared for their expression of the endothelin-1 system and contractile properties to myofibroblasts from primiparous women.


RESULTS
Myofibroblasts expressed the complete endothelin system but did not secrete endothelin-1. Endothelin-1 binding was mediated exclusively by the endothelin B-receptor. In 3-dimensional collagen gels, spontaneous contraction of myofibroblasts from estrogen-treated women with prolapse was statistically significantly lower than from young primiparous women. Exogenous addition of endothelin-1 decreased the spontaneous contraction of myofibroblasts.


CONCLUSIONS
Genital myofibroblasts of women with uterovaginal prolapse are poorly contractile, and endothelin-1 further decreases vaginal myofibroblast contraction, which is opposite to observations in skin myofibroblasts.
Poncet
Sébastien
S
University Institute of Pathology,CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Meyer
Sylvain
S
Richard
Christelle
C
Aubert
John-David
JD
Juillerat-Jeanneret
Lucienne
L
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology
D000199:Actins; D019332:Endothelin-1