Gene levels of fibulin-5 and ITGβ1 in uterosacral ligaments increased with severity of POP in women with cervical elongation, while no correlation was observed in women with a normal cervix.
Real-Time PCR results showed a significant upregulation for extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) and integrin beta 3 (ITGB3) and a significant downregulation for FBLN5 in POP group.
Current data provide, for the first time, strong evidence that common SNPs of the FBLN5 gene are associated with POP especially after pelvic floor injury.
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.
For the first time, we show substantially decreased gene signal for production of SLRPs, regulators of collagen fiber assembly and impairment in elastic fiber assembly by down-regulation of fibulin-5 in POP.