Caveolin‐1, a Mechano‐Mediator, is Expressed in the Epithelial and Stromal Cells of Mice Cervix and Increases During Pregnancy

Abstract

Although we are aware that during pregnancy the developing fetus exerts an increasing gravitational force as it grows in size, little is known about the effect and underlying mechanism of this force on the cervix. Recently our proteomic study provided the first evidence of a presence of a cluster of mechano‐transducing molecules in the cervix, including caveolin‐1 (CAV‐1), talin‐1, vinculin, pro‐filin and others. Here, we use Confocal Immunofluorescence, Western Blot and Real Time PCR analysis to verify our earlier proteomic data by examining the cellular expression, activity (phosphorylated) and levels of CAV‐1 protein and RNA in different stages of pregnancy, non‐pregnant and postpartum (days 0, days 11, 17, postpartum 8, 24 and 48 hours) in mice. CAV‐1 was localized in the epithelial and stromal (fibroblast) cells of the cervix of pregnant mice and its expression increased with advancement in pregnancy but decreased postpartum. The expression was found to be confined to the membrane in late pregnancy and postpartum. We conclude that the growing fetus likely induces mechano‐transduction in the cervix and may influence cervical remodeling and most likely the timing of birth. Funding: Office of Student Research, Appalachian State University.