TGFBR1 is required for mouse myometrial development.

ABSTRACT: The smooth muscle layer of the uterus (ie, myometrium) is critical for a successful pregnancy and labor. We have shown that the conditional deletion of TGFβ type 1 receptor (TGFBR1) in the female reproductive tract leads to remarkable smooth muscle defects. This study was aimed at defining the cellular and molecular basis of the myometrial defects. We found that TGFBR1 is required for myometrial configuration and formation during early postnatal uterine development. Despite the well-established role of TGFβ signaling in vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation, the majority of smooth muscle genes were expressed in Tgfbr1 conditional knockout (cKO) uteri at similar levels as controls during postnatal uterine development, coinciding with the presence but abnormal distribution of proteins

SUBMITTER: Gao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3938542 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature