Differential expression of smooth muscle regulatory proteins in the uterosacral ligaments of women with uterine prolapse.
OBJECTIVE
To compare smooth muscle regulatory protein expression in the uterosacral ligament (USL) of women with and without uterine prolapse.


METHODS
USLs ligament were sampled in women with (n = 9) or without (n = 9) uterine prolapse. Caldesmon, smooth muscle actin (SMA), myosin heavy chain, and zinc finger protein messenger RNA expression was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis were used to determine protein expression.


RESULTS
Caldesmon messenger RNA expression and the ratio of caldesmon-SMA messenger RNA expression was significantly increased in the USL from women with uterine prolapse compared with women without prolapse (caldesmon mean +/- standard deviation messenger RNA, 0.81 +/- 0.46 vs 0.39 +/- 0.16; P = .01 and caldesmon-SMA messenger RNA ratio, mean +/- standard deviation, 0.11 +/- 0.04 vs 0.07 +/- 0.02; P = .01). In addition, the ratio of caldesmon-SMA staining was significantly increased in women with uterine prolapse compared with women without prolapse (mean +/- standard deviation, 0.44 +/- 0.28 vs 0.28 +/- 0.16; P = .03).


CONCLUSIONS
Uterine prolapse is associated with an increased ratio of caldesmon-SMA actin expression.
Takacs
Peter
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
Gualtieri
Marc
M
Nassiri
Mehdi
M
Candiotti
Keith
K
Fornoni
Alessia
A
Medina
Carlos A
CA
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000290:Adnexa Uteri / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008022:Ligaments / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism*; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
D000199:Actins; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C404507:ZNF107 protein, human; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains