Extracellular Matrix Rigidity Modulates Human Cervical Smooth Muscle Contractility-New Insights into Premature Cervical Failure and Spontaneous Preterm Birth.

ABSTRACT: Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB), a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality, must involve premature cervical softening/dilation for a preterm vaginal delivery to occur. Yet, the mechanism behind premature cervical softening/dilation in humans remains unclear. We previously reported the non-pregnant human cervix contains considerably more cervical smooth muscle cells (CSMC) than historically appreciated and the CSMC organization resembles a sphincter. We hypothesize that premature cervical dilation leading to sPTB may be due to (1) an inherent CSMC contractility defect resulting in sphincter failure and/or (2) altered cervical extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity which influences CSMC contractility. To test these hypotheses, we utilized immunohistochemistry to confirm this CSMC phenoty

SUBMITTER: Vink J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9344974 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature