Sensitivity of the fasciae to sex hormone levels: Modulation of collagen-I, collagen-III and fibrillin production

Abstract

Although it is now recognized that women suffer from myofascial pain to a greater extent than men, and that the muscular fasciae can respond to hormonal stimuli, thanks to the expression of sex hormone receptors, how the fasciae can modify their structure under hormonal stimulation is not clear. In this work, an immunocytochemical analysis of collagen-I, collagen-III and fibrillin were carried out on fibroblasts isolated from human fascia lata after in vitro treatment with various levels of sex hormones β-estradiol and/or relaxin-1, according to the phases of a woman’s period (follicular, periovulatory, luteal, post-menopausal phases and pregnancy). This study demonstrates for the first time that fascial cells can modulate the production of some components of the extracellular matrix according to hormone levels, when treated with β-estradiol: collagen-I falls from 6% of positivity in the follicular phase to 1.9 in the periovulatory phase. However, after the addition of relaxin-1 to the cell culture, the production of extracellular matrix decreased and remained at the same level (1.7% of collagen-I, at both follicular and periovulatory levels of hormones). These results confirm the antifibrotic function of relaxin-1, thanks to its ability to reduce matrix synthesis. They are also a first step in our understanding of how some hormonal dysfunctions in women can cause a dysregulation of extracellular matrix production in fasciae.

Sensitivity of the Fasciae to the Endocannabinoid System: Production of Hyaluronan-Rich Vesicles and Potential Peripheral Effects of Cannabinoids in Fascial Tissue

“…A deep analysis of biochemical characteristics and possible functions of the material contained in the HA-rich vesicles is a task for future investigations. However, this work demonstrated that fascial cells respond to the endocannabinoid system, regulating and remodeling the formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), as already demonstrated for other types of stimuli, such as changes in hormonal levels [21]. The increase of the secreted hyaluronan can cause a greater, at least temporary, fluidity of the tissue, thanks to the role of the HA in facilitating the gliding between the fascial layers within and underlying the deep fascia during movement [22].…”

Opposing Effects of Adenosine and Inosine in Human Subcutaneous Fibroblasts May Be Regulated by Third Party ADA Cell Providers

“…In our study, we used the Sirius Red assay, which does not distinguish between type I and III collagen production [23]. Nevertheless, one may speculate that the preferential coupling of adenosine A 2A receptor activation to the EPAC pathway in HSCF is more likely to increase the proportion of type III over type I collagen, as detected in the granulation tissue and immature scars, where the local concentrations of adenine nucleotides and adenosine are elevated [24,48]. This hypothesis is corroborated by the fact that high intracellular cyclic AMP levels achieved by inhibiting the cyclic AMP specific type IV phosphodiesterase with rolipram mimicked the pro-fibrotic role of A 2A receptors activation with CGS21680 or the adenosine precursor, AMP.…”

Effects of Cesarean Section and Vaginal Delivery on Abdominal Muscles and Fasciae

“…Our previous in vitro study demonstrated that fascial cells can modulate the production of some components of the extracellular matrix according to hormone levels [ 16 ]. Therefore, hormone levels, together with biomechanical and delivery factors, could modify the morphology of abdominal muscles and fasciae [ 17 , 18 ]. We found a statistically significant dissymmetry of RA in VA women and of IO in CS women, which leads us to believe that the cause of this muscular dissymmetry is pregnancy itself and/or delivery.…”