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Temporal Changes in Matrix Metalloproteinases, Their Inhibitors, and Cathepsins in Mouse Pubic Symphysis During Pregnancy and Postpartum

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Abstract

Remodeling and relaxation of the mouse pubic symphysis (PS) are central events in parturition. The involvement of endogenous proteins such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and cathepsins in these phenomena remains unclear. In this work, we used a combination of immunolocalization, protein expression/activity, and relative messenger RNA (mRNA) expression to examine the changes in selected MMPs (-2, -9, and -8), TIMPs (-1 and -2), and cathepsins (B and K) during pregnancy and postpartum in mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of all of these proteins in the cytoplasm of chondrocytes, fibrochondrocytes, and fibroblast-like cells in the interpubic tissues. Zymography showed increases in the active forms of MMP-2 and -9 primarily on days 15 to 19 of pregnancy. Western blotting showed enhanced expression of MMP-8 on days 12 to 15 of pregnancy, with no changes in cathepsins B and K. Matrix metalloproteinases 2, TIMP-1 and -2, and cathepsin B had significant relative gene expression throughout pregnancy. These findings indicate that during pregnancy and postpartum there are variations in the expression and activity of proteins that may have an important role in remodeling the pubic symphysis during these events.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Renata G. Rosa PhD, Áureo T. Yamada PhD & Paulo P. Joazeiro PhD

  2. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Christiane A. B. Tarsitano PhD & Stephen Hyslop PhD

  3. Departamento de Morfologia, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brasil

    Olga M. S. Toledo PhD

Authors
  1. Renata G. Rosa PhD
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  2. Christiane A. B. Tarsitano PhD
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  3. Stephen Hyslop PhD
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  4. Áureo T. Yamada PhD
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  5. Olga M. S. Toledo PhD
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  6. Paulo P. Joazeiro PhD
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Correspondence to Paulo P. Joazeiro PhD.

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Rosa, R.G., Tarsitano, C.A.B., Hyslop, S. et al. Temporal Changes in Matrix Metalloproteinases, Their Inhibitors, and Cathepsins in Mouse Pubic Symphysis During Pregnancy and Postpartum. Reprod. Sci. 18, 963–977 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719111401657

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