Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that occur in up to 77% of reproductive age women. They can result in a range of symptoms including pain and excessive menstrual bleeding and are the commonest single reason for hysterectomy. This project will investigate the function of the different cell types that make up the fibroid. Knowledge gained will be of use to identify new targets for treating fibroids to reduce the need for hysterectomy.
Matrix Metalloproteinases, Leukocytes And Menstruation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$191,812.00
Summary
Menstrual bleeding problems are a common cause of pain and discomfort for women and often are satisfactorily treated only by hysterectomy. Despite this, little is known about the processes causing menstruation. Recently, we and others have demonstrated a role for a family of biological catalysts (enzymes) which break down the structure of the tissue lining the uterus (the endometrium) and are thought to cause menstrual bleeding. However, the mechanisms regulating their production during the norm ....Menstrual bleeding problems are a common cause of pain and discomfort for women and often are satisfactorily treated only by hysterectomy. Despite this, little is known about the processes causing menstruation. Recently, we and others have demonstrated a role for a family of biological catalysts (enzymes) which break down the structure of the tissue lining the uterus (the endometrium) and are thought to cause menstrual bleeding. However, the mechanisms regulating their production during the normal menstrual cycle is still largely unknown. Cells which come initially from the blood (leukocytes, particularly neutrophils and eosinophils) dramatically increase in numbers immediately prior to menstruation and these along with other cells, known as mast cells, start to produce a number of factors which we postulate are important for regulation of the enzymes. These cells, are also present in high numbers in endometrium of women with menstrual bleeding problems. This study will demonstrate that both the enzymes, and the leukocytes play a critical role in menstruation and will determine how the leukocytes in the endometrium are regulated. The studies have important implications for understanding and treating menstrual bleeding disorders.Read moreRead less
The lining of the uterus is unusual compared to other parts of the adult body in that new blood vessels grow and then breakdown during menstruation every month. The aim of this project is to understand what controls the growth and regression of these uterine blood vessels. This information is of immediate relevance to a number of clinical problems where an ability to either promote or prevent blood vessel growth would be of major advantage. For example, increased blood vessel growth would accele ....The lining of the uterus is unusual compared to other parts of the adult body in that new blood vessels grow and then breakdown during menstruation every month. The aim of this project is to understand what controls the growth and regression of these uterine blood vessels. This information is of immediate relevance to a number of clinical problems where an ability to either promote or prevent blood vessel growth would be of major advantage. For example, increased blood vessel growth would accelerate wound healing, while blocking blood vessel growth would prevent the growth and spread of cancers. Another disorder that could be controlled through preventing blood vessel growth is endometriosis, a disease where cells from the lining of the uterus grow inside the abdomen causing pain and infertility. Endometriosis affects upto 10% of women.Read moreRead less