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Review
. 2014 Aug;24(4):e220-9.
doi: 10.1111/sms.12149. Epub 2013 Nov 28.

The effect of relaxin on the musculoskeletal system

F Dehghan  1 , B S Haerian  2 , S Muniandy  3 , A Yusof  4 , J L Dragoo  5 , N Salleh  1
Affiliations
Free PMC article
Review

The effect of relaxin on the musculoskeletal system

F Dehghan et al. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2014 Aug.
Free PMC article

Abstract

Relaxin is a hormone structurally related to insulin and insulin-like growth factor, which exerts its regulatory effect on the musculoskeletal and other systems through binding to its receptor in various tissues, mediated by different signaling pathways. Relaxin alters the properties of cartilage and tendon by activating collagenase. This hormone is also involved in bone remodeling and healing of injured ligaments and skeletal muscle. In this review, we have summarized the literature on the effect of relaxin in musculoskeletal system to provide a broad perspective for future studies in this field.

Keywords: ligament; motor organs; relaxin; skeletal muscle; tendon.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Interaction of RLN1, RLN2, and RLN3 proteins with their receptors RXFP1, RXFP2, and RXFP3, respectively, as well as with insulin-like growth factor (INSL3) and rearranged L-myc fusion (RFL) in the network (http://www.genecards.org/).
Figure 2
Figure 2
A summary of relaxin role in the locomotor system.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A competition exists between fibrosis and regeneration during healing of damage tissue. Relaxin and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) make imbalance between regeneration and fibrosis process. Increased relaxin and decreased TGF- β1 result in regeneration and consequently healing, while decreased relaxin and increased TGF- β1 lead to fibrosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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