Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Growth factors are proteins secreted by a number of cell types that are capable of modulating cellular growth, proliferation and cellular differentiation. It is well accepted that uterine cellular events such as proliferation and differentiation are regulated by sex steroids and their actions in target tissues are mediated by local production of growth factors acting through paracrine and/or autocrine mechanisms. Myometrial mass is ultimately modified in pregnancy as well as in tumour conditions such as leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma. Leiomyomas, also known as fibroids, are benign tumours of the uterus, considered to be one of the most frequent causes of infertility in reproductive years in women. METHODS: For this review, we searched the database MEDLINE and Google Scholar for articles with content related to growth factors acting on myometrium; the findings are hereby reviewed and discussed. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS:
Growth factors play an important role in the mechanisms involved in myometrial patho-physiology.
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Authors | Pasquapina Ciarmela, Md Soriful Islam, Fernando M Reis, Peter C Gray, Enrrico Bloise, Felice Petraglia, Wylie Vale, Mario Castellucci |
Journal | Human reproduction update
(Hum Reprod Update)
2011 Nov-Dec
Vol. 17
Issue 6
Pg. 772-90
ISSN: 1460-2369 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 21788281
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Review)
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Chemical References |
- Gonadal Steroid Hormones
- Growth Substances
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Topics |
- Female
- Gonadal Steroid Hormones
(physiology)
- Growth Substances
(physiology)
- Humans
- Leiomyoma
(etiology, physiopathology)
- Models, Biological
- Myometrium
(physiopathology)
- Pregnancy
- Signal Transduction
- Uterine Neoplasms
(etiology, physiopathology)
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