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Expression of GABA signaling pathway key molecules in mouse and human cervical tissue

Introduction: Cervical mucus is a glycoprotein gel produced by secretory epithelium in the endocervical glands. The role of the mucus is protective ; it provides a barrier to the infection. Cervical mucus has an important role in fertility, due to the cyclic changes of its properties which are related to the levels of hormones in the blood. It is indicated that, besides the slow processes of transcription and translation of mucus components, the cycling hormones can regulate rapid process of mucus secretion from the endocervical glands. Since the regulation of mucus production in the bronchial goblet cell is mediated by GABA signaling pathway we hypothesized analogous GABA-mediated regulation of the endocervical glands. Methods: In order to test the hypothesis, the expression of key GABAergic molecules in mouse and human cervix was tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) and immunohistochemistry. Results: GABA signaling pathway key molecules were present in mouse and human cervix. The examined molecules in mouse were β2 subunit of GABA receptor A (GABAAR β2) and estrogen receptor ERα. The following molecules were shown to be expressed in the human: glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT), β2 subunit of GABA receptor A (GABAAR β2) and estrogen receptor ERα. GABAR, GAD and VGAT, elements of the GABA signaling pathway were present in the mouse and human cervix and their intracellular localization was in accordance to the presented theory. Discussion: This study is the first step in verifying the novel concept assuming the role of GABA signaling pathway in the regulation of the endocervical mucus secretion. Subsequently the mechanism of the estrogen driven regulation of mucus secretion remains to be elucidated in the context of GABA mediation.

mucus, gaba, endocervix

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