title: LOX family enzymes expression in vaginal tissue of premenopausal women with severe pelvic organ prolapse.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The extracellular matrix proteins collagen and elastin provide tissue strength and resilience, whereas lysyl oxidase enzymes play a major role in their stabilization. This study examines the expression and tissue localization of lysyl oxidase family proteins in the anterior vaginal wall of premenopausal women with advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP, n = 15) and asymptomatic controls (n = 11). All women were in the proliferative phase of menstrual cycle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total mRNAs and proteins extracted from the vaginal tissue were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, and tissue specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of LOX, LOXL1, and LOXL3 genes as well as LOX and LOXL3 proteins were significantly reduced in POP patients (P < 0.05). Immunolocalization of LOX family proteins was confirmed in all vaginal specimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We proposed that reduced expression of LOX enzymes may result in defective assembly of pelvic tissues and development of POP.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, 700 University Avenue, Suite 3083, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z5, Canada. MAlarab@mtsinai.on.ca
authors.forename: May
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alarab
authors.forename: Maria A T
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bortolini
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Drutz
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lye
authors.forename: Oksana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shynlova
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008239:Lysine / Q000378:metabolism; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000201:enzymology*; D017697:Premenopause; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014621:Vagina / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; D008239:Lysine