Thrombospondin-1 and thrombospondin-2 mRNA and TSP-1 and TSP-2 protein expression in uterine fibroids and correlation to the genes COL1A1 and COL3A1 and to the collagen cross-link hydroxyproline

Reprod Sci. 2007 Dec;14(8 Suppl):63-76. doi: 10.1177/1933719107309591.

Abstract

Uterine fibroids are composed of altered collagen fibrils and represent an arrested response to injury-initiating fibrosis. In many tissues, TSP-1 is secreted by adult macrophages and monocytes upon wounding and is involved in the activation of transforming growth factor beta. In the absence of TSP-1, the orchestrated process of wound healing is impaired. The authors obtained tissue from the edge and center of fibroids at the time of hysterectomy and compared them with adjacent myometrium. The pattern of TSP-1 and TSP-2 expression was correlated to that of COL1A1 and COL3A1. Collagen and hydroxyproline were increased in fibroids. Thrombospondin-1 was consistently underexpressed in both the edge and center of the fibroids, while COL1A1 and COL3A1 were consistently overexpressed. However, TSP-2 was inconsistently expressed. These findings lead to the conclusion that the underexpression of TSP-1 may contribute to the overall development of uterine fibroids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Collagen Type I / analysis
  • Collagen Type I / genetics*
  • Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain
  • Collagen Type III / analysis
  • Collagen Type III / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyproline / analysis*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Leiomyoma / chemistry
  • Leiomyoma / genetics*
  • Leiomyoma / pathology
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / analysis
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / genetics
  • Myometrium / chemistry
  • Myometrium / pathology
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis*
  • Thrombospondin 1 / analysis
  • Thrombospondin 1 / genetics*
  • Thrombospondins / analysis
  • Thrombospondins / genetics*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Uterine Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • COL3A1 protein, human
  • Collagen Type I
  • Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain
  • Collagen Type III
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Thrombospondin 1
  • Thrombospondins
  • thrombospondin 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Hydroxyproline