The aim of this study was to investigate whether apamin-sensitive K(+)channels play a role in the NO induced relaxation of the human pregnant myometrium. Concentration-response curves for sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (10(-9)-10(-4)M) were constructed in the absence and presence of 10(-8)M apamin and 10(-7)M charybdotoxin (CTX). Preincubation with apamin resulted in a significant attenuation of th...

Uterine leiomyomas are benign tumors that develop from smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been shown to be involved in the signaling pathways that stimulate proliferation of a variety of cell types. Thioredoxin-1 (TRX-1) is a redox-regulating protein, which is overexpressed in various tumors. In the present study, we investigated the expressions of TRX-1 and its ...

In this study, we characterized the changes in the extracellular matrix proteoglycan decorin in pregnant intrauterine tissues in late gestation and in association with labor and delivery in sheep. In addition, we examined the effects of estradiol and progesterone on regulation of decorin mRNA expression in myometrium from the nonpregnant ovariectomized sheep. Using suppression subtractive hybri...

HOX genes are essential regulators of development in all multicellular organisms, including humans. We have previously shown that HOXA10 is expressed in the developing uterus and later in the adult human endometrium. HOX genes regulate endometrial development in response to sex steroids. Here, we demonstrate that HOXA10 is expressed in the myometrium as well. In situ hybridization reveals abund...

In humans, the factors that govern the switch from myometrial quiescence to coordinated contractions at the initiation of labor are not well defined. The onset of parturition is itself associated with increases in a number of proinflammatory factors, many of which are regulated by the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) family of transcription factors. The expression and DNA-binding activity of N...

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is involved in embryo development and implantation. Sex hormones down-modulate FAAH activity in the mouse uterus. However, the regulation of the FAAH gene in the uterus is unknown. Our results showed that FAAH mRNA is localized to uterine epithelial cells and circular myometrium during the estrous cycle. In ovariectomized rats, estradiol (E2) plus progesterone ...

AIMS To determine the frequency with which myometrium is removed during vacuum terminations of pregnancy or dilatation and curettage after miscarriage, and to relate these findings to subsequent placenta accreta or its proxies. METHODS Archival tissues from vacuum termination of pregnancy or dilatation and blunt curettage after miscarriage were examined for the presence of myometrium. The sub...

The transcription factor ZEB1 (deltaEF1 in mice) has been implicated in cellular processes during development and tumor progression including epithelial to mesenchymal transition. deltaEF1 null mice die at birth, but heterozygotes expressing a LacZ reporter inserted into the deltaEF1 gene live and reproduce. Using these mice, we observed ZEB1 promoter activity in the virgin myometrium, and stro...

Cervical and uterine electromyograms (EMG) have been recorded from ovariectomized non-pregnant ewes. When the animals were infused with saline, the frequency of EMG events lasting less than 180 seconds was not different from those lasting more than 180 seconds. During infusion of estradiol at 100 micrograms X 24 hours-1 into the maternal jugular, the frequency of events less than 180 seconds in...

Spontaneous preterm labor is an important complication in perinatology characterized by early onset myometrium contractions leading to labor at preterm. However, the exact mechanism that maintain uterine quiescence and promote increased uterine contractility during labor were incompletely defined. MicroRNAs is a class of short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcript...