Analysis of stem cell factor for mast cell proliferation in the human myometrium

The proliferation and differentiation of human mast cells (MCs) occur under the influence of the mitogenic agent known as stem cell factor (SCF). This study analyses the distribution of SCF and SCF receptor in human myometrial tissue to further the understanding of the role(s) of MCs in the uterus. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the majority of uterine MCs are located in close proximity to myometrial smooth muscle cells, and also among fibroblast-like spindle shaped cells. RNA extracts from myometrial tissues were subjected to reverse transcription. The resulting cDNA population was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a pair of 20-mer primers that were specific for SCF cDNA. Electrophoresis of the PCR products showed that the myometrial tissues contained transcripts for SCF. In-situ reverse transcription-PCR also revealed the expression of the transcripts for SCF in myometrial smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays confirmed that the cultured myometrial cells produced SCF. Since immunohistochemical staining indicated there are SCF receptors on the surface of myometrial MCs, the results suggest that MC proliferation and differentiation in the myometrium is regulated by SCF secretion from the uterine smooth muscle cells. The mature MCs might, in turn, secrete mediators that influence tissue remodelling during the human menstrual cycle.