title: Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases in the uterine cervix of postmenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE.: To determine whether atrophy of the uterine cervix in menopausal women is associated with an increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), a decrease in their counter regulatory proteins (tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase [TIMP]), and a decrease in type I collagen. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: A pilot study was performed on cervical stroma harvested from 10 premenopausal and 9 postmenopausal women undergoing a hysterectomy. The amount of pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 in protein extracts from the two groups was compared by gelatin zymography. The membrane-type (MT)1-MMP, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were quantitated by Western immunoblotting. Total collagen was estimated by measuring hydroxyproline content. A primary fibroblast culture was developed to study estrogen regulation of MMP expression in vitro. RESULTS.: Pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 were increased in postmenopausal extracts. No difference in the amount of MT1-MMP, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, or total collagen was detected. In primary cervical fibroblast cultures, only active MMP-2 was suppressed by estrogen. CONCLUSIONS.: The protein expression of pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 is increased in cervical stroma of postmenopausal women relative to premenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Magee-Womens Research Institute and the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Magee Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Pamela A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Moalli
authors.forename: Wendy L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Klingensmith
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Meyn