Differential expression of fibulins in the uterosacral ligaments of women with uterine prolapse.
OBJECTIVE
To compare fibulin-3 (FIB-3) and fibulin-5 (FIB-5) expressions in uterosacral ligaments (USL) of women with and without uterine prolapse.


METHODS
USL were sampled in a standardized fashion from women with (n = 8) or without (n = 8) uterine prolapse. Quantitative Real-Time PCR was performed to measure mRNA and immunohistochemistry to assess protein expression.


RESULTS
FIB-3 mRNA expression and FIB-3 staining intensity was similar in the USL of women with and without uterine prolapse {[(FIB-3 mean +/- SD mRNA relative units) 0.45 +/- 0.41 vs. 0.46 +/- 0.82, NS] and [Intensity score, median (range), 1(0-1) vs. 1(0-1), NS]}. Both FIB-5 mRNA expression and FIB-5 staining intensity was significantly decreased in USL from women with uterine prolapse compared to women without prolapse {[(FIB-5 mean +/- SD mRNA relative units) 0.07 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.26 +/- 0.20, P = 0.02] and [Intensity score, median (range), 0(0-2) vs. 3(2-3), P = 0.002]}.


CONCLUSIONS
FIB-5 expression is decreased in USL of women with uterine prolapse.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33010, USA. ptakacs@med.miami.edu
Peter
P
Takacs
Mehdi
M
Nassiri
Keith
K
Candiotti
Jinfeng
J
Yang
Sujata
S
Yavagal
Carlos A
CA
Medina
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008022:Ligaments / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012447:Sacrum / Q000378:metabolism; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
C119630:EFEMP1 protein, human; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; C492373:FBLN5 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger