E-Posters-EP4 Receptor Expression in Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Radiation-Induced Vaginal Stenosis: A Novel Therapeutic Target

EP4 Receptor Expression in Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Radiation-Induced Vaginal Stenosis: A Novel Therapeutic Target - Christine Santayana, DO

Back to course

Pdf Summary

The study aimed to characterize the expression of EP4 receptors in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and radiation-induced vaginal stenosis as potential therapeutic targets. POP affects a large number of women and its molecular pathogenesis is not well understood. Radiation therapy, on the other hand, can cause vaginal stenosis. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an inflammation modulator that interacts with EP4 receptors, which have not been characterized in vaginal tissue before.<br /><br />Tissue samples were obtained from patients with prolapse, radiation-induced stenosis, and benign conditions. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to analyze EP4 expression and other markers related to tissue architecture, remodeling, senescence, and progenitor state.<br /><br />The results showed that prolapse tissue had reduced architecture and increased senescence markers compared to normal tissue. EP4 receptors were under-expressed in prolapse and highly expressed in radiation-induced stenosis. There were differences in EP4 expression in different layers of vaginal tissue. MMP-9 levels were minimally different in prolapsed and stenotic tissue, while MMP-17 was reduced. The fibronectin marker (fFN) was overexpressed in both prolapsed and stenotic tissue.<br /><br />The findings suggest that EP4 modulation could potentially affect both POP and radiation-induced stenosis. The study has shed light on the expression of EP4 receptors in the vagina, but larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.<br /><br />Overall, this study provides insight into potential therapeutic targets for POP and radiation-induced vaginal stenosis and highlights the need for further research to explore the effects of EP4 modulation on tissue integrity.

Keywords

EP4 receptors

pelvic organ prolapse

radiation-induced vaginal stenosis

therapeutic targets

tissue samples

immunohistochemistry staining

MMP-9 levels

MMP-17

fibronectin marker

tissue integrity