title: LOXL1 deficiency negatively impacts the biomechanical properties of the mouse vagina and supportive tissues.
abstract: Mice deficient in lysyl oxidase-like1 protein (LOXL1(-/-)) develop pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We sought to determine the impact of LOXL1(-/-) on the biomechanical properties of the vagina and its supportive tissues tested as a complex. Tissues of nulliparous LOXL1(-/-) and age-matched wild type (WT) mice were tested to failure to obtain load-distension curves. Data were compared utilizing one-way analysis of variance and appropriate post hoc tests. The groups demonstrated different biomechanical behavior, with LOXL1(-/-) animals displaying a 31% decrease in ultimate load at failure (p=0.001). Experimental disruption of specific levels of support in WT mice failed to generate load-distension curves similar to the LOXL1(-/-) mice indicating a global instead of a site-specific tissue defect. The decrease in the ultimate load at failure in the LOXL1(-/-) mice suggests mechanically weaker tissues. LOXL1 mutation results in a global defect in connective tissues and correlates with altered biomechanical behavior of the vagina and supportive tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Urogynecology, Magee-Women's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alperin
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Debes
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abramowitch
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meyn
authors.forename: Pamela A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Moalli
mesh_terms: D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D052858:Cystocele / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; C482019:Loxl1 protein, mouse