P-564: The ultrastructural organization of myofibroblasts within uterine fibroids suggests alteration of tensional homeostasis

Abstract

Our previous studies of uterine fibroids revealed increased activation of transforming growth factor beta down-stream signaling and changes in key extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as versican, suggesting that intracellular changes in myofibroblasts may be due to increased mechanical force. Cells sense mechanical force through the ECM via integrin-cytoskeleton plaques, leading to myosin activation that in turn depends upon the small GTP-binding protein Rho. To examine the state of mechanical activation in fibroids we studied the ultrastructural features of the ECM and the ECM-integrin-cytoskeleton mechano-transduction structures.