[CITATION][C] Lysosomes in uterine involution: intracytoplasmic degradation of myofilaments and collagen

D Brandes, E Anton - Journal of Gerontology, 1969 - academic.oup.com
D Brandes, E Anton
Journal of Gerontology, 1969academic.oup.com
E study of physiological involution is of interest both to the pathologist and gerontologist, for
it allows the depiction of cellular changes that may develop rapidly or explosively in the
course of disease, or much more slowly or in a subtle way in the course of senile atrophy
pertaining to the aging process. Delineation of the essential factors operating in these
involuntary processes might lead to a better understanding of the control mechanisms
operating in pathological cellular regression and senile atrophy. Following parturition, the …
E study of physiological involution is of interest both to the pathologist and gerontologist, for it allows the depiction of cellular changes that may develop rapidly or explosively in the course of disease, or much more slowly or in a subtle way in the course of senile atrophy pertaining to the aging process. Delineation of the essential factors operating in these involuntary processes might lead to a better understanding of the control mechanisms operating in pathological cellular regression and senile atrophy.
Following parturition, the uterus undergoes drastic involution, which is accompanied by the loss of tissular components and very rapidly the organ is restored to its nongravid dimensions. Since more than a century ago, many theories have been invoked to explain the mechanisms responsible for these rapid changes, and a review of the several hypotheses advanced on this subject is available (Maibenco, 1960). The likelihood that lysosomes may play a role in the postpartum involution of the uterus was postulated on the basis of light microscopy histochemical studies (Lobel & Deane, 1962), which received further support from biochemical work (Woessner, 1965). Recent progress in the investigation of lysosomal function (De Duve & Wattiaux, 1966) has served to emphasize the heterogenous character of lysosomes in regard to their functional properties.
Oxford University Press