Effect of transforming growth factor -β1 on α-smooth muscle actin and collagen expression in equine endometrial fibroblasts

• Published in: Theriogenology 2019-01, Vol.124, p.9-17
• Main Authors: Szóstek-Mioduchowska, A.Z., Lukasik, K., Skarzynski, D.J., Okuda, K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Actins - genetics; Actins - metabolism; Animals; Cells, Cultured; Collagen - genetics; Collagen - metabolism; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; ECM components; Endometrium; Endometrium - cytology; Endometrosis; Female; Fibroblasts - drug effects; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects; Horses; Mare; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 - pharmacology; Transforming growth factor-β1; α-SMA
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.10.005

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 not only regulates cell growth, development, and tissue remodeling, but it also participates in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis. In the equine endometrium, the concentration of TGF-β1 is correlated with endometrosis (equine endometrial fibrosis). In other tissues, TGF-β1 induces differentiation of many cell types into myofibroblasts. These cells are characterized by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and an ability to deposit excessive amounts of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The aim of the study was to determine whether TGF-β1 plays a role in the development of equine endometrosis. In Exp. 1, endometrial expression of α-SMA in different stages of endometrosis was determined. In endometrial tissues from the mid luteal phase (n = 6 for each stages of endometrosis) and the follicular phase of the estrous cycle (n = 5 for each stages of endometrosis), mRNA transcription and protein expression of α-Sma were evaluated by Real-time PCR and Western-blot, respectively. The α-Sma mRNA transcription and protein expression levels were correlated with the severity of endometrosis (P