Cyclic mechanical stretch augments hyaluronan production in cultured human uterine cervical fibroblast cells.

Hyaluronan (HA) a glycosaminoglycan with high affinity for water molecules stimulates local inflammatory reactions. Parturition causes a dramatic increase in the amount of HA fragments in the uterine cervix, thereby contributing to a rapid softening as well as opening of the cervical canal, i.e.

Cyclic mechanical stretch augments both interleukin-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 production in the cultured human uterine cervical fibroblast cells.

Intensive local leukocyte infiltration in the uterine cervix is a characteristic feature in the process of cervical ripening. The infiltrated leukocytes include neutrophils, macrophages and monocytes, which are believed to play important roles in cervical ripening by secreting elastase, matrix metalloproteinase and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3) belong to the CXC and CC chemokine families, and mediate the chemotaxis of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages respectively.