Proteomic analysis of pubocervical fascia in women with and without pelvic organ prolapse and urodynamic stress incontinence.
OBJECTIVE
This pilot study compares protein expression patterns in the pubocervical fascia of women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and asymptomatic women with normal pelvic support.


METHODS
Samples of pubocervical fascia were collected from four women with POP and SUI and from three asymptomatic (control) women. These were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
The expression levels of transgelin, smooth muscle gamma-actin, myosin light polypeptide 6, and alpha-1 antitrypsin precursor were more than twofold higher in patients than in controls. An additional five proteins were overexpressed (more than twofold) in patients, while three proteins were detected only in the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study is the first study to estimate changes in protein expression in the pubocervical fascia of human patients with POP. These changes could be related to the pathophysiology of POP.
Athanasiou
Stavros
S
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens University School of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, Vas Sofias 54, Athens 11528, Greece. athanasio@otenet.gr
Lymberopoulos
Elias
E
Kanellopoulou
Sofia
S
Rodolakis
Alexandros
A
Vlachos
George
G
Antsaklis
Aris
A
D000368:Aged; D005205:Fascia / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000378:metabolism*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D040901:Proteomics; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000378:metabolism*; D014563:Urodynamics
D011506:Proteins