Stretch-induced parathyroid hormone-related peptide gene expression in the rat uterus

We previously observed a peak in parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) mRNA expression in preterm rat myometrium and found that this peak was dependent on intrauterine occupancy. We explored the possibility that mechanotransduction might control PTHrP gene expression in the uterus. This was done by developing an intrauterine balloon system that allowed us to reproduce experimentally the mechanical effects of the fetal pup in utero. An increase in PTHrP mRNA in the unoccupied horn of a unilaterally pregnant rat could be elicited as rapidly as 1 h after balloon inflation and was maintained for up to 72 h. The same response was seen in uterine horns from virgin animals and could be reproduced by three different methods of imposing a physical stretch. Balloon-induced stretch also increased mRNA expression in a muscle bath system in vitro. Mechanotransduction appears to be largely, if not entirely, responsible for the preterm peak in PTHrP mRNA expression.