Research on lysyl oxidase and pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse( POP) is a common gynecopathy,but the pathogenesis of POP is obscure up to now. Recent studies have shown an association between POP and the destroy of structural and functional integrity of pelvic connective tissue. The main proteins composing pelvic connective tissue extracellular matrix( ECM) are elastin and collagen. Elastin and collagen contents and structural changes can cause the decreasing of tissue elasticity and the relaxation of pelvic floor structure. Lysyl oxidase( LOX) can catalyze the polymerization of elastic fibers forming covalent crosslinking to increase the stability of EMC,so it is supposed that the change of LOX expression may make a certain contribution to the occurrence and development of POP.