Prostaglandin Receptors in Lower Segment Myometrium During Gestation and Labor

Julia Brodt-Eppley, Leslie Myatt
In: Obstetrics & Gynecology · 1999 · vol. 93(1) , pp. 89–93 · doi:10.1097/00006250-199901000-00019 · W4251929387
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Prostaglandin EP2 receptor expression in lower segment myometrium decreases toward term, while FP receptor expression increases with labor at term.

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This study investigated changes in prostaglandin E2 (EP2) and F (FP) receptor mRNA expression within the lower segment human myometrium across different stages of gestation and labor. Researchers analyzed tissue samples from preterm and term pregnancies, both with and without active labor, using reverse transcription-PCR to quantify receptor isoforms relative to calponin levels. The results indicated that EP2 receptor expression decreased significantly with advancing gestational age in non-laboring patients, while FP receptor expression increased notably during term labor. These findings suggest that the shifting balance between relaxatory EP2 and contractile FP receptors plays a key role in maintaining uterine quiescence and initiating contractions. This paper is centrally about the physiological mechanisms of parturition; relevance to endometriosis or adenomyosis: not explicitly discussed, included via keyword match in upstream search index.

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Abstract

In Brief Objective To determine if expression of relaxatory prostaglandin (PG) E2 receptors (EP2 isoform) and contractile PG F receptors (FP isoform) changes during gestation and with labor in pregnant human myometrium. Methods Lower segment myometrium was removed at cesarean from four groups of parturients (preterm [28–36 weeks] or term [37–41 weeks], either in or not in labor, ten per group). Myometrial RNA was isolated and used for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis with specific primer sets for human smooth muscle protein calponin and PGEP2 or FP receptor isoform mRNA. Polymerase chain reaction products were electrophoresed on gels and visualized, band intensity was measured, and EP2 and FP receptor expression was normalized to calponin. Results Reverse transcription-PCR yielded products of expected sizes, and restriction enzyme cleavage confirmed identities. Prostaglandin EP2 receptor isoform mRNA expression (relative to calponin mRNA) was significantly greater in the preterm, no labor group (1.28 ± 0.22, mean ± standard error of the mean [SE]) compared with the term, no labor group (0.71 ± 0.09) (P < .05 Student-Neuman-Kuels) and declined significantly with gestational age in patients not in labor (R = −.446, P = .001). Prostaglandin FP receptor isoform mRNA expression was significantly less in the term, no labor group (0.61 ± 0.06) compared with all others (P < .02 Student-Neuman-Kuels). Prostaglandin FP receptor expression declined significantly with gestational age in patients not in labor (R = −.646, P = .012) and increased significantly with labor at term. Conclusion Changes in prostaglandin EP2 receptor isoform expression are consistent with influence on maintenance of quiescence. Labor at term is associated with a significant increase in FP receptor expression, consistent with influence on contraction. The balance between the two receptor isoforms might mediate myometrial contractility. Expression of relaxatory prostaglandin E2 receptor isoforms in pregnant lower segment myometrium decreases toward term, whereas contractile prostaglandin F receptor expression increases with labor at term.
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Objective

To determine if expression of relaxatory prostaglandin (PG) E2 receptors (EP2 isoform) and contractile PG F receptors (FP isoform) changes during gestation and with labor in pregnant human myometrium.

Methods

Lower segment myometrium was removed at cesarean from four groups of parturients (preterm [28–36 weeks] or term [37–41 weeks], either in or not in labor, ten per group). Myometrial RNA was isolated and used for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis with specific primer sets for human smooth muscle protein calponin and PGEP2 or FP receptor isoform mRNA. Polymerase chain reaction products were electrophoresed on gels and visualized, band intensity was measured, and EP2 and FP receptor expression was normalized to calponin.

Results

Reverse transcription-PCR yielded products of expected sizes, and restriction enzyme cleavage confirmed identities. Prostaglandin EP2 receptor isoform mRNA expression (relative to calponin mRNA) was significantly greater in the preterm, no labor group (1.28 ± 0.22, mean ± standard error of the mean [SE]) compared with the term, no labor group (0.71 ± 0.09) (P < .05 Student-Neuman-Kuels) and declined significantly with gestational age in patients not in labor (R = −.446, P = .001). Prostaglandin FP receptor isoform mRNA expression was significantly less in the term, no labor group (0.61 ± 0.06) compared with all others (P < .02 Student-Neuman-Kuels). Prostaglandin FP receptor expression declined significantly with gestational age in patients not in labor (R = −.646, P = .012) and increased significantly with labor at term.

Conclusion

Changes in prostaglandin EP2 receptor isoform expression are consistent with influence on maintenance of quiescence. Labor at term is associated with a significant increase in FP receptor expression, consistent with influence on contraction. The balance between the two receptor isoforms might mediate myometrial contractility.

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