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Relaxin's involvement in extracellular matrix homeostasis
Timothy E Cooney1, Justine M Schober, John D Lubahn
1Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Research, Hamot Medical Center, Erie, Pennsylvania 16550, USA. tim.cooney@hamot.org
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|May 7, 2009
Summary
The hormone relaxin and its receptor RXFP1 are present in diverse connective tissues, including ligaments and skin. This suggests relaxin plays a role in ligament integrity and wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Connective Tissue Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Emerging evidence indicates the hormone relaxin influences extracellular matrix collagen in various tissues.
- This study further investigates relaxin's role in connective tissues like ligaments and skin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of relaxin receptors (RXFP1) in human ligament fibroblasts and skin.
- To explore the potential role of relaxin in ligament integrity and wound healing.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence on ligament fibroblasts to detect vimentin, actin, RXFP1, and estrogen receptor beta.
- Immunohistochemistry on skin biopsies to detect RXFP1 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta).
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure serum relaxin levels.
Main Results:
- Ligament fibroblasts expressed vimentin and actin; RXFP1 was detected in fibroblasts from female patients but not the single male patient (preliminary).
- RXFP1 receptors were found in 96% of skin basement membrane cells across genders.
- TGF-beta was widely expressed in skin tissue, and serum relaxin was detectable in children.
Conclusions:
- Relaxin's receptor, RXFP1, is expressed in diverse connective tissues, including ligaments and skin basal lamina keratinocytes.
- These findings support the hypothesis that relaxin impacts ligament integrity and contributes to wound healing processes.
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