Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3) in women with uterine prolapse but without urinary incontinence.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and its inhibitors, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, -2 and -3 (TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3), in the pelvic support and nonsupport tissue of women with uterine prolapse but without urinary incontinence.


METHODS
Paired samples of uterosacral ligament and cervical tissue were obtained from 11 postmenopausal and 8 premenopausal women with severe uterine prolapse. Nine premenopausal women without prolapse were selected as normal controls. Immunoreactivity of MMP-2 and TIMPs was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Steady state of MMP-2 as well as TIMPs messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with quantitative expression determined by multiplex PCR.


RESULTS
A significantly higher expression of MMP-2 mRNA and lower expression of TIMP-2 mRNA were found in uterosacral ligament in uterine prolapse women compared to controls. In the cervical tissue, however, the MMP-2 and TIMPs mRNA expression was comparable between prolapse and control groups. With regard to menopausal status, there was no significant difference in MMP-2 and TIMPs mRNA expression between premenopausal and postmenopausal women with uterine prolapse.


CONCLUSIONS
An increase in MMP-2 mRNA and a decrease in TIMP-2 mRNA expression in uterosacral ligament are related to uterine prolapse in women without urinary incontinence.
Liang
Ching-Chung
CC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taiwan, ROC.
Huang
Hong-Yuan
HY
Tseng
Ling-Hong
LH
Chang
Shuenn-Dhy
SD
Lo
Tsia-Shu
TS
Lee
Chyi-Long
CL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D019717:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000378:metabolism; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; C088390:TIMP3 protein, human; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D019717:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3; D019716:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2; D003094:Collagen; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9