HOXA11 is critical for development and maintenance of uterosacral ligaments and deficient in pelvic prolapse
J. Clin. Invest. Kathleen A. Connell, et al. 118:1050 doi:10.1172/JCI34193 [
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Figure 1Evaluation of
HOXA11 expression in human and murine USLs.
(
A) Intranuclear expression of
HOXA11demonstrated in human USLs. (
B) PCR products confirming
HOXA11 expression in human USLs. NEG, negative control; POP, RT-PCR using RNA obtained from a subject with POP; CTL, RT-PCR using material from a control subject; POS, positive control. (
C) Comparison of pelvic anatomy between
Hoxa11-null and wild-type mice. Note the absence of the USLs and increased mobility of the uterus, allowing visualization of the posterior vagina, in the
Hoxa11-null mouse compared with the definitive USLs in the wild-type mouse, which stabilizes the uterus and vagina. Arrows indicate USLs arising from the cervix. Sig, sigmoid colon. (
D) RT-PCR results showing expression of Hoxa11 in the USLs of wild-type and Hoxa11 heterozygous mice. Paracervical tissue was used for RT-PCR in Hoxa11-null mice.
