Tanya Dailey1, Huiling Ji, Vit Long, Edward K Chien. 1. Section of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) plays a central role in extracellular matrix remodeling. We hypothesized that TGFbeta signaling is involved in cervical remodeling. This study evaluated patterns within this signaling pathway. STUDY DESIGN: The cervices of nonpregnant and timed pregnant rats were obtained. Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of TGFbeta1, TGFbeta receptor 1 (TbetaR1), TbetaR2, and TbetaR3 was evaluated. Four animals were euthanized for each time point. Western blotting was performed for protein expression. Phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad)-2 and -3 phosphorylation was assessed to evaluate TGFbeta activation. RESULTS: TGFbeta1 mRNA increased through day 21 and declined on day 22 (analysis of variance, P = .001). TbetaR1 expression was unchanged. TbetaR2 and TbetaR3 mRNA expression was similar to TGFbeta1. TbetaR3 protein expression was similar to mRNA. Smad2 phosphorylation paralleled changes in TbetaR3. CONCLUSION: Components of the TGFbeta signaling pathway increase during pregnancy along with Smad2 activation. The decline on day 22 correlates with a transition to the ripening phase supporting a role in cervical remodeling.
OBJECTIVE: Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) plays a central role in extracellular matrix remodeling. We hypothesized that TGFbeta signaling is involved in cervical remodeling. This study evaluated patterns within this signaling pathway. STUDY DESIGN: The cervices of nonpregnant and timed pregnant rats were obtained. Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of TGFbeta1, TGFbeta receptor 1 (TbetaR1), TbetaR2, and TbetaR3 was evaluated. Four animals were euthanized for each time point. Western blotting was performed for protein expression. Phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad)-2 and -3 phosphorylation was assessed to evaluate TGFbeta activation. RESULTS:TGFbeta1 mRNA increased through day 21 and declined on day 22 (analysis of variance, P = .001). TbetaR1 expression was unchanged. TbetaR2 and TbetaR3 mRNA expression was similar to TGFbeta1. TbetaR3 protein expression was similar to mRNA. Smad2 phosphorylation paralleled changes in TbetaR3. CONCLUSION: Components of the TGFbeta signaling pathway increase during pregnancy along with Smad2 activation. The decline on day 22 correlates with a transition to the ripening phase supporting a role in cervical remodeling.
Authors: B M Mercer; R L Goldenberg; P J Meis; A H Moawad; C Shellhaas; A Das; M K Menard; S N Caritis; G R Thurnau; M P Dombrowski; M Miodovnik; J M Roberts; D McNellis Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2000-09 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Sonia S Hassan; Roberto Romero; Adi L Tarca; Chia-Ling Nhan-Chang; Edi Vaisbuch; Offer Erez; Pooja Mittal; Juan Pedro Kusanovic; Shali Mazaki-Tovi; Lami Yeo; Sorin Draghici; Jung-Sun Kim; Niels Uldbjerg; Chong Jai Kim Journal: J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med Date: 2009-12