Interferon-γ and its pathway-associated gene expression in the vaginal tissue of premenopausal females with pelvic organ prolapse

Interferon (IFN)-γ is a potent proinflammatory molecule. However, few studies have investigated the expression levels of IFN-γ during pelvic organ prolapse (POP). In the present study, the expression levels and tissue localization of IFN-γ and its pathway-associated genes were detected in the vaginal walls of premenopausal females with POP and asymptomatic controls using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. When compared with the matched controls, an 8.6-fold increase in IFN-γ, 3.8-fold increase in IFN-γ receptor (IFNGR)1, 2.6-fold increase in IFNGR2, 3.4-fold increase in signal transducer and activator of transcription-1, 2.2-fold increase in janus kinase-1 and 5.1-fold increase in nuclear factor (NF)-κB mRNA expression levels were observed in the females with premenopausal POP. In all the females with POP, higher mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ and its receptors were observed when compared with the controls. Expression levels of all the proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the results demonstrated higher staining for IFN-γ, IFNGRs and pathway-associated genes in females with POP. Therefore, the results indicated that IFN-γ may be used as an inflammatory marker for POP development, and is associated with NF-κB.