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Published on: October 27, 2020
The role of transforming growth factor beta in cervical remodeling within the rat cervix
Tanya Dailey1, Huiling Ji, Vit Long
1Section 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.
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.
