WCRB2014 POSTER PRESENTATIONS (1) (335 abstracts)
Remodelling-associated processes during postpartum uterine involution in mice
Fiona M Menzies 1 , Laura Burton 2 , Humera Ahmed 1 , Rachel S. Oldham 2 , Claire A Higgins 2 , Scott M Nelson 2 & Robert J B Nibbs 2
1University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK; 2University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Introduction: Following labour, the uterus rapidly returns to its pre-pregnancy state. Exact mechanisms underlying labour and postpartum involution are not fully understood but inflammation is understood to play a key role. It has been hypothesised that rather than initiating or propagating labour, inflammation may prime the uterus for extensive postpartum tissue repair and remodelling, in a manner akin to repair in exercising skeletal muscle. This study aims to investigate the expression of mRNA for heat shock proteins (HSPs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), as well as quantification of mast cells (MCs), all of which have previously been associated with repair and remodelling mechanisms in other models of wound healing.
Methods: Uterine tissues of C57BL/6 mice were collected at Day 1 (n=5), 4(n=6) and 7(n=5) postpartum. Virgin females (proestrous stage) were used as non-pregnant controls (n=5). mRNA expression was determined by qRT-PCR. MCs were visualised by toluidine blue staining and quantified. Data were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn’s Multiple Comparison Test.
Results and discussion: A three fold increase in expression of Hspb1 (HSP27) at Day 7 postpartum (P=0.04) and Mmp8 at Day 4 postpartum (P=0.03) compared to non-pregnant samples was found, suggesting that HSP27 and MMP8 may have a role in postpartum uterine involution. MC numbers did not change throughout the post-partum period, however, clustering at the endometrium/myometrium border was observed. Future studies will determine the activation status of these cells. This study provides a foundation for further examination of the physiological process of uterine involution and remodelling processes.
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ISSN 2052-1472 (online)
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