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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
Isolation and Characterization of the Murine Uterosacral Ligaments and Pelvic Floor Organs
Published on: March 3, 2023
Correlations between Mitofusin 2 Expression in Fibroblasts and Pelvic Organ Prolapse: An In vitro Study
Ye Lu1, Hua-Yun Chen2, Xiao-Qing Wang1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
Background:
Both Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are related to aging. The aim of the present study was to investigate the variations of Mfn2 expression in the uterosacral ligaments of patients with and/or without POP and their correlations with the expression of procollagen.
Methods:
Fibroblasts were cultured using tissue specimens that were harvested from the uterosacral ligaments of POP and non-POP (NPOP) patients (n = 10 for each group) from September 2016 to December 2016. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to compare the differences in cell proliferation between the two groups. Relative quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting assays were employed to assess the differences in the mRNA and protein expression levels of Mfn2 and procollagen 1A1/1A2/3A1 between the two groups. The changes in procollagen expression were assessed following the downregulation of Mfn2 in the POP group using RNAi. The data were assessed with independent sample t- test or general linear model univariate analysis using the SPSS 13.0 software.
Results:
The results from CCK-8 assay indicated that cell viability in the POP group was significantly lower compared with that of the NPOP group (td5, 7, 9, 11= -5.925, -6.851, -9.129, and -9.661, respectively, all P < 0.001, from D5 to D11). The mRNA and protein expression levels of Mfn2 in the cultured fibroblasts of the POP group were significantly higher compared with those of the NPOP group (mRNA: t = 2.425, P = 0.032; protein: t = 2.392, P = 0.037, respectively), whereas only the expression levels of procollagen 1A1/1A2/3A1 were significantly higher in the NPOP group (mRNA: t = -2.165, P1A1 = 0.041; t = -2.741, P1A2 = 0.026; t = -2.147, P3A1 = 0.045, respectively; protein: t = -2.418, P1A1 = 0.029; t = -2.405, P1A2 = 0.033; t = -2.470, P3A1 = 0.012, respectively). The expression levels of procollagen in the POP group increased following the downregulation of Mfn2.
Conclusions:
The proliferation rate and cell viability of the fibroblasts in the POP group were significantly lower compared with those in the NPOP group. In the POP fibroblasts, Mfn2 expression was increased, while procollagen expression was decreased.
Insights
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is linked to reduced fibroblast viability and increased Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) expression. Decreased procollagen levels in POP fibroblasts suggest Mfn2 may influence extracellular matrix integrity.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Gynecology
Background:
- Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are age-related conditions.
- Investigating Mfn2 expression in uterosacral ligaments is crucial for understanding POP pathogenesis.
- The study explores the relationship between Mfn2 and procollagen expression in POP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare Mfn2 and procollagen expression in uterosacral ligament fibroblasts from POP and non-POP patients.
- To assess the impact of Mfn2 on cell proliferation and viability in POP fibroblasts.
- To determine the correlation between Mfn2 expression and procollagen levels in POP.
Main Methods:
- Fibroblast cultures from uterosacral ligaments of POP and non-POP patients.
- Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay for cell viability and proliferation.
- RT-PCR and Western blotting to quantify Mfn2 and procollagen mRNA and protein levels.
- RNA interference (RNAi) to downregulate Mfn2 in POP fibroblasts.
Main Results:
- POP fibroblasts exhibited significantly lower cell viability and proliferation rates compared to non-POP fibroblasts.
- Mfn2 mRNA and protein expression were significantly higher in POP fibroblasts.
- Procollagen mRNA and protein expression were significantly lower in POP fibroblasts.
- Downregulation of Mfn2 in POP fibroblasts led to increased procollagen expression.
Conclusions:
- Reduced fibroblast proliferation and viability are characteristic of POP.
- Elevated Mfn2 expression in POP fibroblasts is associated with decreased procollagen levels.
- Mfn2 may play a role in the altered extracellular matrix composition observed in POP.
