Abstract
PurposeThe aim of this study was to detect and assess the estrogen receptor (ESR) coactivator PELP1 expression within human paraspinal skeletal muscles in patients suffering from idiopathic scoliosis.MethodsDuring surgical correction of scoliosis the muscle biopsies harvested in 29 females. Presence of PELP1, ESR1 and ESR2 genes transcripts was studied using RT-qPCR technique while immunohistochemistry and western blot methods were used to detect the PEPL1 protein presence.ResultsPELP1 expression in deep paraspinal muscles revealed higher than in superficial back muscles (p = 0.005). Positive immunohistochemical staining for PELP1 was observed in the nuclei of the paraspinal muscle cells. Western blot revealed PELP1 protein in all samples. No significant difference in PELP1 expression between the convex and the concave scoliosis side (p>0.05) was found. In deep paraspinal back muscles, a significant correlation between the PELP1 expression level on the concave side and the Cobb angle (r = 0.4; p<0.05) was noted as well as between the PELP1 and ESR1 expression level (r = 0.7; p<0.05) while no correlation between PELP1 and ESR2 expression level was found.ConclusionTo our knowledge, three techniques for the first time demonstrated the presence of the PELP1 in paraspinal muscles of patients with idiopathic scoliosis. The PELP1 potential regulatory impact on back muscle function is to be further investigated.
Highlights
Almost 80% of scoliosis is considered idiopathic, i.e. of unknown cause
Positive immunohistochemical staining for PELP1 was observed in the nuclei of the paraspinal muscle cells
Estrogens affect muscular tissue function in terms of adaptation to the endurance training by angiogenesis and miogenesis caused by the estrogen-associated angiogenic factor VEGF [5] as well as by influencing production of the nitric oxide being the vasodilatator [6]
Summary
It has been assumed for years that deep paraspinal muscles activity plays a role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis (IS) [1]. One of the theories on the aetiology of IS is associated with potential influence of estrogens and estrogen receptors on paraspinal muscle cells function [3,4]. Estrogens affect muscular tissue function in terms of adaptation to the endurance training by angiogenesis and miogenesis caused by the estrogen-associated angiogenic factor VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) [5] as well as by influencing production of the nitric oxide being the vasodilatator [6]. Studies on levels of circulating estrogens in girls with idiopathic scoliosis versus healthy girls are inconsistent [8,9]
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