Putative functions of tissue kallikrein-related peptidases in vaginal fluid.
Cervical-vaginal fluid (CVF) is a complex biological fluid that hydrates the mucosa of the lower female reproductive system. In-depth proteomic and biochemical studies on CVF have revealed that it contains large amounts of endogenous proteases and protease inhibitors, including an abundance of several members of the tissue kallikrein-related peptidase (KLK) family. Despite their ubiquitous presence in human tissues and fluids, KLK expression levels vary considerably, with maximum expression observed in reproduction-related tissues and fluids. The roles of KLKs in the lower female reproductive system are not fully understood. The activation of KLKs in CVF is dependent on pH and various modes of KLK regulation in the vagina exist. KLKs have been postulated to have roles in physiological functions related to antimicrobial processes, vaginal and cervical epithelial desquamation, sperm transport, and the processing of fetal membranes as observed in preterm premature rupture of membranes. Increased understanding of the functional roles of KLKs in the lower female reproductive system could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for conditions such as vaginal infections and vaginal atrophy.
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.|Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, PO Box 32, Room L6-201, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3L9, Canada.
Carla M J
CM
Muytjens
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.|Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, PO Box 32, Room L6-201, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3L9, Canada.
Stella K
SK
Vasiliou
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, PO Box 32, Room L6-201, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3L9, Canada.
Katerina
K
Oikonomopoulou
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, PO Box 32, Room L6-201, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3L9, Canada.
Ioannis
I
Prassas
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.|Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray Street, PO Box 32, Room L6-201, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3L9, Canada.|Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, Room 3-362, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.
Eleftherios P
EP
Diamandis
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D060728:Reproductive Health; D020840:Tissue Kallikreins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism*
D020840:Tissue Kallikreins