First Name:
Whitney
Last Name:
Irwin
Major Department:
Biology
Thesis Director:
Chishimba Mowa
Date of Thesis:
May 2009
Cervical remodeling is an inflammatory response that is closely associated with microvascular changes. Mechanisms that underlie vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) effects, such as angiogenesis, vascular permeability and vasodilation are tissue-dependent, but not completely known. In some tissues they are mediated by signaling molecules, such as protein kinase C(PKC), phopholipase C(PLC) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS). The exact signaling pathway for VEGF effects in the cervix is not known. Our previous work has shown that levels of VEGF, VEGF receptors, and some key signaling molecules change during pregnancy. Here we verify our previous DNA microarray date using real time PCR. We show that VEGF agents(recombinant protein and blocker) in cervix alter mRNAs of eNOS, PKC, and PLC-γ dose-dependently. Based on this data we conclude that the effects of VEGF on vascular events during cervical remodeling are likely mediated by PKC and eNOS.