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Q&A

Basic Science

Poster Session 1

(195) Endocannabinoid effects on myometrial expression of contraction associated proteins

Tuesday, February 13, 2024
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM  
Location: Prince George's Exhibit Hall CDE, Lower Atrium Level

    Primary Author(s)

  • ZH

    Zaid Haque, BS

    Medical Student
    Wake Forest University School of Medicine
    Winston-Salem, NC, United States

    • Coauthor(s)

  • JZ

    Jie Zhang, MD

    Wake Forest University School of Medicine
    Winston-Salem, NC, United States

  • SR

    Saraswatie Rambaran, BS

    Wake Forest University School of Medicine
    Winston-Salem, NC, United States

  • CG

    Chad Grotegut, MBA, MD

    Wake Forest University School of Medicine
    Winston-Salem, NC, United States

    • Presenting Author(s)

  • Melissa L. Kozakiewicz, MD

    Maternal-Fetal Medicine Faculty
    Wake Forest University School of Medicine
    Winston-Salem, NC, United States

Objective:

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an endogenous cell-signaling system that plays a significant role in embryo development, implantation, and early pregnancy maintenance. Animal models indicate a potential role of the ECS in the initiation of labor. The endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide, rises in human plasma prior to the onset of labor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of anandamide on the myometrial expression of the contraction associated proteins connexin-43 (Cx 43) and oxytocin receptor (OTR).

Study Design:

Using an immortalized myometrial cell line derived from term human pregnancy myometrium (PHM1-41), the effects of anandamide treatment on Cx 43 and OTR expression were determined. Cells were treated with methanandamide, a more stable analogue of anandamide, for various time intervals ranging from 0 to 20 hours. Cellular expression of Cx 43 and OTR was determined using western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Experiments were repeated using a cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) antagonist to determine receptor selectivity.

Results:

A significant increase in Cx 43 mRNA was detected after 8 (p=0.01), 12 (p= < 0.01), 16 (p= < 0.01), and 20 (p= < 0.01) hours of methanandamide exposure when compared to the no-treatment control. With the addition of a CB1R inhibitor (SR141716A), a significant increase in Cx 43 mRNA was still detected after 12 (p= < 0.01), 16 (p= < 0.01), and 20 (p= < 0.01) hours of methanandamide treatment. There was no significant difference in OTR mRNA with methanandamide treatment. There was no significant difference in the protein expression of Cx 43 or OTR using western blot.

Conclusion:

Methanandamide treatment of myometrial cells results in an increase in Cx 43 mRNA expression. Surprisingly, this effect does not appear to be CB1R mediated. Additional studies are needed to examine the potential signaling pathways through which this occurs.