Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Sep;43(10):1284-1295.
doi: 10.1002/pd.6429. Epub 2023 Aug 30.

Cx43 regulates mechanotransduction mechanisms in human preterm amniotic membrane defects

Eleni Costa  1 , Christopher Thrasivoulou  2 , David L Becker  3 , Jan A Deprest  4   5 , Anna L David  4   5 , Tina T Chowdhury  1
Affiliations

Cx43 regulates mechanotransduction mechanisms in human preterm amniotic membrane defects

Eleni Costa et al. Prenat Diagn. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: The effects of mechanical stimulation in preterm amniotic membrane (AM) defects were explored.

Methods: Preterm AM was collected from women undergoing planned preterm caesarean section (CS) due to fetal growth restriction or emergency CS after spontaneous preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes (sPPROM). AM explants near the cervix or placenta were subjected to trauma and/or mechanical stimulation with the Cx43 antisense. Markers for nuclear morphology (DAPI), myofibroblasts (αSMA), migration (Cx43), inflammation (PGE2 ) and repair (collagen, elastin and transforming growth factor β [TGFβ1 ]) were examined by confocal microscopy, second harmonic generation, qPCR and biochemical assays.

Results: In preterm AM defects, myofibroblast nuclei were highly deformed and contractile and expressed αSMA and Cx43. Mechanical stimulation increased collagen fibre polarisation and the effects on matrix markers were dependent on tissue region, disease state, gestational age and the number of fetuses. PGE2 levels were broadly similar but reduced after co-treatment with Cx43 antisense in late sPPROM AM defects. TGFβ1 and Cx43 gene expression were significantly increased after trauma and mechanical stimulation but this response dependent on gestational age.

Conclusion: Mechanical stimulation affects Cx43 signalling and cell/collagen mechanics in preterm AM defects. Establishing how Cx43 regulates mechanosignalling could be an approach to repair tissue integrity after trauma.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

REFERENCES

    1. Kumar D, Moore R, Mercer B, Mansour JM, Redline RW, Moore JJ. The physiology of fetal membrane weakening and rupture: insights gained from the determination of physical properties revisited. Placenta. 2016;42:59-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2016.03.015
    1. Menon R, Behnia F, Polettini J, Richardson L. Novel pathways of inflammation in human fetal membranes associated with preterm birth and preterm pre-labor rupture of the membranes. Seminars Immunopathol. 2020;42(4):431-450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-020-00808-x
    1. Pressman E, Cavanaugh J, Woods J. Physical properties of the chorioamnion throughout gestation. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;187(3):672-675. https://doi.org/10.1067/mob.2002.125742
    1. Gratacós E, Sanin-Blair J, Lewi L, et al. A histological study of fetoscopic membrane defects to document membrane healing. Placenta. 2006;27(4-5):452-466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2005.03.008
    1. Oyen M, Calvin S, Landers D. Premature rupture of the fetal membranes: is the amnion the major determinant? Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006;195(2):510-515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2006.02.010

LinkOut - more resources