title: Proteomic analysis of pubocervical fascia in women with and without pelvic organ prolapse and urodynamic stress incontinence.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens University School of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, Vas Sofias 54, Athens 11528, Greece. athanasio@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Athanasiou
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lymberopoulos
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanellopoulou
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodolakis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vlachos
authors.forename: Aris
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antsaklis
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins