Abstract

Relaxin, a polypeptide product of the human corpus luteum of pregnancy, is present in maternal serum throughout pregnancy. An understanding of the control of relaxin secretion will provide useful information of the factors that modify and effect corpus luteum activity. We have shown that hCG can stimulate relaxin secretion in nonpregnant luteal phase women. These in vivo studies will be continued to determine the effects of steriods and other hormones on the maintenance of relaxin secretion. We have developed an in vitro system of long term human luteal cell maintenance. This system will be used to determine factors necessary for induction of relaxin secretion from corpora lutea of nonpregnant women and maintenance of relaxin secretion by corpora lutea of pregnancy. Human relaxin will be purified using HPLC. This purified relaxin will be used to determine the interrelationships of human relaxin and other agents on human myometrium in vitro. Progesterone and relaxin synergize in inhibition of myometrial contractin amplitude. A sensitive human bioassay for relaxin will be developed utilizing myometrium pretreated with subeffective doses of progesterone. Decidua may be an additional source of human relaxin. We will quartitate and characterize decidual relaxin and study its control. This material may provide relaxin for human RIA production.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD022338-02
Application #
3321832
Study Section
Biochemical Endocrinology Study Section (BCE)
Project Start
1986-01-15
Project End
1987-02-28
Budget Start
1986-03-01
Budget End
1987-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
605799469
City
Newark
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
07107

  Publications

Morelli, Sara S; Petraglia, Felice; Weiss, Gerson et al. (2010) Endometrial expression of relaxin and relaxin receptor in endometriosis. Fertil Steril 94:2885-7
Goldsmith, Laura T; Weiss, Gerson (2009) Relaxin in human pregnancy. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1160:130-5
Maseelall, Priya B; Seungdamrong, Aimee; Weiss, Gerson et al. (2009) Expression of LGR7 in the primate corpus luteum implicates the corpus luteum as a relaxin target organ. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1160:147-51
Weiss, Gerson; Goldsmith, Laura T (2005) Mechanisms of relaxin-mediated premature birth. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1041:345-50
Goldsmith, Laura T; Weiss, Gerson (2005) Relaxin regulates endometrial structure and function in the rhesus monkey. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1041:110-7
McGovern, Peter G; Llorens, Amaury J; Skurnick, Joan H et al. (2004) Increased risk of preterm birth in singleton pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer or gamete intrafallopian transfer: a meta-analysis. Fertil Steril 82:1514-20
Goldsmith, Laura T; Weiss, Gerson; Palejwala, Smita et al. (2004) Relaxin regulation of endometrial structure and function in the rhesus monkey. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 101:4685-9
Palejwala, Smita; Tseng, Linda; Wojtczuk, Andrea et al. (2002) Relaxin gene and protein expression and its regulation of procollagenase and vascular endothelial growth factor in human endometrial cells. Biol Reprod 66:1743-8
Weiss, G; Goldsmith, L T (2001) Relaxin and the cervix. Front Horm Res 27:105-12
Iams, J D; Goldsmith, L T; Weiss, G (2001) The preterm prediction study: maternal serum relaxin, sonographic cervical length, and spontaneous preterm birth in twins. J Soc Gynecol Investig 8:39-42

Showing the most recent 10 out of 35 publications