Estrogen inhibits vaginal tropoelastin and TGF-β1 production.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of estrogen on vaginal smooth muscle cell (SMC) tropoelastin and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 production.


METHODS
Primary SMC were incubated with estradiol, and cell proliferation was assessed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at 48 h. Supernatants were collected and tropoelastin and TGF-β1 levels measured.


RESULTS
SMC proliferation was significantly increased by estradiol [relative cell number, mean ± standard error (SE), estradiol 0.1 μM 116 ± 19 % of control (P = NS), 1 μM 127 ± 13 % of control (P < 0.05), 10 μM 153 ± 26 % of control, (P < 0.05)]. Tropoelastin production was significantly decreased by estrogen [mean ± SE, estradiol 0.1 μM 78 ± 2 % of control (P < 0.05), 1 μM 76 ± 4 % of control (P < 0.05), 10 μM 67 ± 3 % of control, (P < 0.05)]. In addition, TGF-β1 production was significantly decreased [mean ± SE, estradiol 0.1 μM 96 ± 4 % of control (P = NS), 1 μM 84 ± 6 % of control (P < 0.05), 10 μM 70 ± 6 % of control, (P < 0.05)].


CONCLUSIONS
Estrogen increases vaginal SMC proliferation and inhibits tropoelastin and TGF-β1 production.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (D-50), University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, PO Box 016960, Miami, FL 33010, USA.
Nahida
N
Chakhtoura
Yanping
Y
Zhang
Keith
K
Candiotti
Carlos A
CA
Medina
Peter
P
Takacs
D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014333:Tropoelastin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D004967:Estrogens; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D014333:Tropoelastin; D004958:Estradiol