Is lysyl oxidase-like protein-1, alpha-1 antitrypsin, and neutrophil elastase site specific in pelvic organ prolapse?
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether the expression of alpha-1 antitrypsin (ATT), neutrophil elastase (NE), and lysyl oxidase-like protein 1 (LOXL-1) vary within the vagina in subjects with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).


METHODS
Biopsies were obtained from the anterior and posterior vaginal wall of 22 women with POP (> or =stage 2 by POP-Q). The subjects were grouped by the most prominent defect: cystocele, cystocele plus uterine prolapse, and rectocele. Comparative real-time PCR, Western blotting, and NE enzyme activity assay were performed.


RESULTS
The ratio of anterior and posterior vaginal wall ATT, NE, and LOXL-1 expression varied between individuals within the same defect group.


CONCLUSIONS
ATT, NE, and LOXl-1 expression was variable among different biopsy sites in the vagina. No consistent pattern was present when the subjects were grouped by the most prominent defect. We recommend careful consideration of biopsy sites in future studies on POP to enhance reproducibility of data.
Man
Weng Chi
WC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, HH-333, Stanford, CA 94305-5317, USA.
Ho
Jason Yen-Ping
JY
Wen
Yan
Y
Sokol
Eric R
ER
Polan
Mary L
ML
Chen
Bertha
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000201:enzymology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000201:enzymology*; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000378:metabolism*
D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; C445313:LOXL1 protein, human; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase