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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 22(4)

Spatiotemporal expression of α1, α3 and β1 integrin subunits is altered in rat myometrium during pregnancy and labour

S. J. Williams A C , O. Shynlova B C , S. J. Lye B and D. J. MacPhee A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, NL A1B 3V6, Canada.

B Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada.

C These authors contributed equally to this work.

D Corresponding author. Email: dmacphee@mun.ca

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 22(4) 718-732 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD09163
Submitted: 13 July 2009  Accepted: 20 October 2009   Published: 25 March 2010

Abstract

Integrins are transmembrane extracellular matrix (ECM) receptors composed of α- and β-subunits. Integrins can cluster to form focal adhesions and, because there is significant ECM remodelling and focal adhesion turnover in the rat myometrium during late pregnancy, we hypothesised that the expression of α1, α3 and β1 integrin subunits in the rat myometrium would be altered at this time to accommodate these processes. Expression of α1 and β1 integrin subunit mRNA was significantly increased on Days 6–23 of pregnancy compared with non-pregnant (NP) and postpartum (PP) time points (P < 0.05). In contrast, α3 integrin subunit mRNA expression was significantly increased on Days 14, 21 and 22 compared with NP, Day 10, 1 day PP and 4 days PP (P < 0.05). A relative gene expression study revealed that, of the integrins studied, the expression of β1 integrin mRNA was highest in pregnant rat myometrium. The α1, α3 and β1 integrin subunit proteins became immunolocalised to myocyte membranes in situ by late pregnancy and labour in both myometrial muscle layers. Increased α1, α3 and β1 integrin gene expression during gestation and the specific detection of these subunits in myocyte membranes during late pregnancy and labour may contribute to the cell–ECM interactions required for the development of a mechanical syncytium.

Additional keywords: female reproductive tract, gene expression, parturition, uterus.


Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the assistance of Anna Dorogin and Bryan G. White (tissue collection) and Judy Foote and Art Taylor (tissue processing and sectioning of rat myometrial tissue for immunofluorescence analyses). This work was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (grant no. 250218–02 to D.J.M) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (to S.J.L.).


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