title: Cyclic mechanical stretch augments hyaluronan production in cultured human uterine cervical fibroblast cells.
abstract: Hyaluronan (HA) a glycosaminoglycan with high affinity for water molecules stimulates local inflammatory reactions. Parturition causes a dramatic increase in the amount of HA fragments in the uterine cervix, thereby contributing to a rapid softening as well as opening of the cervical canal, i.e. cervical ripening. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible involvement of cyclic distension caused by labour in the augmentation of HA production during cervical ripening. Immunohistochemistry and/or RT-PCR detected hyaluronan synthase (HAS)1, 2 and 3 in samples of human cervical tissue obtained from pregnant women. Labour-like cyclic mechanical stretch for 24, 36 and 48 h significantly enhanced the secretion of HA, from cultured human uterine cervical fibroblast (CxF) cells, 128.7, 151.4 and 173.2%, respectively, concomitant with a significant augmentation of HAS1 (36, 48 h), HAS2 (24, 36 and 48 h) and HAS3 (48 h) mRNA expression. Cyclic mechanical stretch for 12, 36 and 48 h increased molecular size of the HA secreted from CxF cells. In conclusion, cyclic mechanical stretch of the uterine cervix caused by the presenting part of the fetus in labour may contribute to the increase in the secretion of HA during the process of cervical ripening.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Maki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takemura
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.forename: Norimasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sagawa
authors.forename: Shigeo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yura
authors.forename: Daizo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Korita
authors.forename: Kazuyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kakui
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.forename: Naoyoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hirota
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Shingo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fujii
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020070:Cervical Ripening / Q000378:metabolism; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D000076002:Hyaluronan Synthases; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012026:Reflex, Stretch; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase; C101754:HAS2 protein, human; C105458:HAS3 protein, human; D000076002:Hyaluronan Synthases