Objective: To evaluate the levels of mRNA for the extracellular matrix proteins collagen type I, collagen type III, and fibronectin in leiomyomas and myometrium obtained from women treated with GnRH-agonist (GnRH-a) and to examine steroid hormone regulation of these proteins using an in vitro explant culture system.
Methods: Northern blot analysis of mRNA was obtained from hysterectomy specimens at the time of surgery or after 48 hours of in vitro steroid treatment. A portion of the tissue was processed for RNA, and the remaining tissue was used to establish explant cultures. Extracellular matrix/α-tubulin ratio was computed for each band, and within each experiment the lowest ratio was standardized to a value of one denstometry unit to allow for comparison among experiments.
Results: There is a relative overeexpression of both collagen type I and collagen type III mRNAs but not fibronectin in leiomyomas compared to myometrium from the same uteri of women treated with GnRH-a.
Conclusion: Leiomyomas obtained from women treated with GnRH-a show an up-regulation of collagens type I and type III similar to that seen in leiomyomas obtained from women in the proliferative phase of their menstrual cycles.
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