
Mice deficient for the fibulin-5 gene (Fbln5(-/-)) develop pelvic organ prolapse (POP) due to compromised elastic fibers and upregulation of matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-9. Here, we used casein zymography, inhibitor profiling, affinity pull-down, and mass spectrometry to discover additional protease upregulated in the vaginal wall of Fbln5(-/-) mice, herein named V1 (25 kDa). V1 was a serine protease with trypsin-like activity similar to protease, serine (PRSS) 3, a major extrapancreatic trypsinogen, was optimum at pH 8.0, and predominantly detected in estrogenized vaginal epithelium of Fbln5(-/-) mice. PRSS3 was (a) localized in epithelial secretions, (b) detected in media of vaginal organ culture from both Fbln5(-/-) and wild type mice, and (c) cleaved fibulin-5 in vitro. Expression of two serine protease inhibitors [Serpina1a (α1-antitrypsin) and Elafin] was dysregulated in Fbln5(-/-) epithelium. Finally, we confirmed that PRSS3 was expressed in human vaginal epithelium and that SERPINA1 and Elafin were downregulated in vaginal tissues from women with POP. These data collectively suggest that the balance between proteases and their inhibitors contributes to support of the pelvic organs in humans and mice.
Adult, Science, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Mice, Animals, Humans, Protease Inhibitors, RNA, Messenger, Aged, Demography, Mice, Knockout, Extracellular Matrix Proteins, Q, Serine Endopeptidases, R, Caseins, Middle Aged, Matrix Metalloproteinases, Recombinant Proteins, Disease Models, Animal, Organ Specificity, Medicine, Female, Research Article, Peptide Hydrolases
Adult, Science, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Mice, Animals, Humans, Protease Inhibitors, RNA, Messenger, Aged, Demography, Mice, Knockout, Extracellular Matrix Proteins, Q, Serine Endopeptidases, R, Caseins, Middle Aged, Matrix Metalloproteinases, Recombinant Proteins, Disease Models, Animal, Organ Specificity, Medicine, Female, Research Article, Peptide Hydrolases
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| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
