help button home button Endocrine Society Endocrine Reviews
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Purchase Article
Right arrow View Shopping Cart
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Sherwood, O. D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Sherwood, O. D.
Endocrine Reviews 25 (2): 205-234
Copyright © 2004 by The Endocrine Society

Relaxin’s Physiological Roles and Other Diverse Actions

O. David Sherwood

Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology and College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801

Correspondence: Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. O. David Sherwood, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 524 Burrill Hall, 407 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801. E-mail: od-sherw{at}uiuc.edu

Relaxin has vital physiological roles in pregnant rats, mice, and pigs. Relaxin promotes growth and softening of the cervix, thus facilitating rapid delivery of live young. Relaxin also promotes development of the mammary apparatus, thus enabling normal lactational performance. The actions of relaxin on the mammary apparatus vary among species. Whereas relaxin is required for development of the mammary nipples in rats and mice, it is essential for prepartum development of glandular parenchyma in pregnant pigs. During pregnancy relaxin also inhibits uterine contractility and promotes the osmoregulatory changes of pregnancy in rats. Recent studies with male and nonpregnant female rodents revealed diverse therapeutic actions of relaxin on nonreproductive tissues that have clinical implications. Relaxin has been reported to reduce fibrosis in the kidney, heart, lung, and liver and to promote wound healing. Also, probably through its vasodilatory actions, relaxin protects the heart from ischemia-induced injury. Finally, relaxin counteracts allergic reactions. Knowledge of the diverse physiological and therapeutic actions of relaxin, coupled with the recent identification of relaxin receptors, opens numerous avenues of investigation that will likely sustain a high level of research interest in relaxin for the foreseeable future.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Biol. Chem.Home page
J.-I. Park, J. Semyonov, W. Yi, C. L. Chang, and S. Y. T. Hsu
Regulation of Receptor Signaling by Relaxin A Chain Motifs: DERIVATION OF PAN-SPECIFIC AND LGR7-SPECIFIC HUMAN RELAXIN ANALOGS
J. Biol. Chem., November 14, 2008; 283(46): 32099 - 32109.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
C. S. Samuel, T. D. Hewitson, Y. Zhang, and D. J. Kelly
Relaxin Ameliorates Fibrosis in Experimental Diabetic Cardiomyopathy
Endocrinology, July 1, 2008; 149(7): 3286 - 3293.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Mol. Endocrinol.Home page
R. L. Bogan, M. J. Murphy, R. L. Stouffer, and J. D. Hennebold
Systematic Determination of Differential Gene Expression in the Primate Corpus Luteum during the Luteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle
Mol. Endocrinol., May 1, 2008; 22(5): 1260 - 1273.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
L. Yao, A. I. Agoulnik, P. S. Cooke, D. D. Meling, and O. D. Sherwood
Relaxin Acts on Stromal Cells to Promote Epithelial and Stromal Proliferation and Inhibit Apoptosis in the Mouse Cervix and Vagina
Endocrinology, May 1, 2008; 149(5): 2072 - 2079.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ReproductionHome page
W. Yan, J. Chen, A. A Wiley, B. D Crean-Harris, F. F Bartol, and C. A Bagnell
Relaxin (RLX) and estrogen affect estrogen receptor {alpha}, vascular endothelial growth factor, and RLX receptor expression in the neonatal porcine uterus and cervix
Reproduction, May 1, 2008; 135(5): 705 - 712.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
A. Kern, D. Hubbard, A. Amano, and G. D. Bryant-Greenwood
Cloning, Expression, and Functional Characterization of Relaxin Receptor (Leucine-Rich Repeat-Containing G Protein-Coupled Receptor 7) Splice Variants from Human Fetal Membranes
Endocrinology, March 1, 2008; 149(3): 1277 - 1294.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
Q. Xu, E. D. Lekgabe, X.-M. Gao, Z. Ming, G. W. Tregear, A. M. Dart, R. A. D. Bathgate, C. S. Samuel, and X.-J. Du
Endogenous Relaxin Does Not Affect Chronic Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis
Endocrinology, February 1, 2008; 149(2): 476 - 482.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
C. S. Samuel, S. G. Royce, M. D. Burton, C. Zhao, G. W. Tregear, and M. L. K. Tang
Relaxin Plays an Important Role in the Regulation of Airway Structure and Function
Endocrinology, September 1, 2007; 148(9): 4259 - 4266.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Biol. Chem.Home page
C. Kuei, S. Sutton, P. Bonaventure, C. Pudiak, J. Shelton, J. Zhu, D. Nepomuceno, J. Wu, J. Chen, F. Kamme, et al.
R3(B{Delta}23 27)R/I5 Chimeric Peptide, a Selective Antagonist for GPCR135 and GPCR142 over Relaxin Receptor LGR7: IN VITRO AND IN VIVO CHARACTERIZATION
J. Biol. Chem., August 31, 2007; 282(35): 25425 - 25435.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
M. C. Baccari, S. Nistri, M. G. Vannucchi, F. Calamai, and D. Bani
Reversal by relaxin of altered ileal spontaneous contractions in dystrophic (mdx) mice through a nitric oxide-mediated mechanism
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, August 1, 2007; 293(2): R662 - R668.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Mol Hum ReprodHome page
N. Tawadros, L.A. Salamonsen, E. Dimitriadis, and C. Chen
Facilitation of decidualization by locally produced ghrelin in the human endometrium
Mol. Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2007; 13(7): 483 - 489.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Cancer Res.Home page
S. Ganesh, M. Gonzalez Edick, N. Idamakanti, M. Abramova, M. VanRoey, M. Robinson, C.-O. Yun, and K. Jooss
Relaxin-Expressing, Fiber Chimeric Oncolytic Adenovirus Prolongs Survival of Tumor-Bearing Mice
Cancer Res., May 1, 2007; 67(9): 4399 - 4407.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Leukoc. Biol.Home page
T.-Y. Ho, W. Yan, and C. A. Bagnell
Relaxin-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression is associated with activation of the NF-{kappa}B pathway in human THP-1 cells
J. Leukoc. Biol., May 1, 2007; 81(5): 1303 - 1310.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
X.-l. Moore, S.-l. Tan, C.-y. Lo, L. Fang, Y.-D. Su, X.-M. Gao, E. A. Woodcock, R. J. Summers, G. W. Tregear, R. A. D. Bathgate, et al.
Relaxin Antagonizes Hypertrophy and Apoptosis in Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes
Endocrinology, April 1, 2007; 148(4): 1582 - 1589.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Clin. Cancer Res.Home page
S. Feng, I. U. Agoulnik, N. V. Bogatcheva, A. A. Kamat, B. Kwabi-Addo, R. Li, G. Ayala, M. M. Ittmann, and A. I. Agoulnik
Relaxin Promotes Prostate Cancer Progression
Clin. Cancer Res., March 15, 2007; 13(6): 1695 - 1702.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
A. Kern, A. I. Agoulnik, and G. D. Bryant-Greenwood
The Low-Density Lipoprotein Class A Module of the Relaxin Receptor (Leucine-Rich Repeat Containing G-Protein Coupled Receptor 7): Its Role in Signaling and Trafficking to the Cell Membrane
Endocrinology, March 1, 2007; 148(3): 1181 - 1194.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 FASEB J.Home page
J. D. Silvertown, J. C. Symes, A. Neschadim, T. Nonaka, J. C. H. Kao, A. J. S. Summerlee, and J. A. Medin
Analog of H2 relaxin exhibits antagonistic properties and impairs prostate tumor growth
FASEB J, March 1, 2007; 21(3): 754 - 765.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
B. M. McGowan, S. A. Stanley, N. E. White, A. Spangeus, M. Patterson, E. L. Thompson, K. L. Smith, J. Donovan, J. V. Gardiner, M. A. Ghatei, et al.
Hypothalamic mapping of orexigenic action and Fos-like immunoreactivity following relaxin-3 administration in male Wistar rats
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, March 1, 2007; 292(3): E913 - E919.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
T. D. Hewitson, I. Mookerjee, R. Masterson, C. Zhao, G. W. Tregear, G. J. Becker, and C. S. Samuel
Endogenous Relaxin Is a Naturally Occurring Modulator of Experimental Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis
Endocrinology, February 1, 2007; 148(2): 660 - 669.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Exp. Biol. Med.Home page
H. Huang, H.-H. Chang, Y. Xu, D. S. Reddy, J. Du, Y. Zhou, Z. Dong, J. R. Falck, and M.-H. Wang
Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid Inhibition Alters Renal Hemodynamics During Pregnancy
Experimental Biology and Medicine, December 1, 2006; 231(11): 1744 - 1752.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
E. D. Lekgabe, S. G. Royce, T. D. Hewitson, M. L. K. Tang, C. Zhao, X. L. Moore, G. W. Tregear, R. A. D. Bathgate, X.-J. Du, and C. S. Samuel
The Effects of Relaxin and Estrogen Deficiency on Collagen Deposition and Hypertrophy of Nonreproductive Organs
Endocrinology, December 1, 2006; 147(12): 5575 - 5583.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
D. O. Debrah, J. Novak, J. E. Matthews, R. J. Ramirez, S. G. Shroff, and K. P. Conrad
Relaxin Is Essential for Systemic Vasodilation and Increased Global Arterial Compliance during Early Pregnancy in Conscious Rats
Endocrinology, November 1, 2006; 147(11): 5126 - 5131.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Exp. Biol. Med.Home page
S. P. Ng, B. G. Steinetz, S. G. Lasano, and J. T. Zelikoff
Hormonal Changes Accompanying Cigarette Smoke-Induced Preterm Births in a Mouse Model
Experimental Biology and Medicine, September 1, 2006; 231(8): 1403 - 1409.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
W. Yan, A. A. Wiley, R. A. D. Bathgate, A.-L. Frankshun, S. Lasano, B. D. Crean, B. G. Steinetz, C. A. Bagnell, and F. F. Bartol
Expression of LGR7 and LGR8 by Neonatal Porcine Uterine Tissues and Transmission of Milk-Borne Relaxin into the Neonatal Circulation by Suckling
Endocrinology, September 1, 2006; 147(9): 4303 - 4310.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
J. D. Silvertown, J. S. Walia, A. J. Summerlee, and J. A. Medin
Functional Expression of Mouse Relaxin and Mouse Relaxin-3 in the Lung from an Ebola Virus Glycoprotein-Pseudotyped Lentivirus via Tracheal Delivery
Endocrinology, August 1, 2006; 147(8): 3797 - 3808.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
F. J. de Haas van Dorsser, W. F. Swanson, S. Lasano, and B. G. Steinetz
Development, Validation, and Application of a Urinary Relaxin Radioimmunoassay for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Pregnancy in Felids
Biol Reprod, June 1, 2006; 74(6): 1090 - 1095.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Am. Soc. Nephrol.Home page
L. A. Danielson, A. Welford, and A. Harris
Relaxin Improves Renal Function and Histology in Aging Munich Wistar Rats
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., May 1, 2006; 17(5): 1325 - 1333.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Pharmacol. Rev.Home page
R. A. Bathgate, R. Ivell, B. M. Sanborn, O. D. Sherwood, and R. J. Summers
International Union of Pharmacology LVII: Recommendations for the Nomenclature of Receptors for Relaxin Family Peptides.
Pharmacol. Rev., March 1, 2006; 58(1): 7 - 31.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
I. Mookerjee, N. R. Solly, S. G. Royce, G. W. Tregear, C. S. Samuel, and M. L. K. Tang
Endogenous Relaxin Regulates Collagen Deposition in an Animal Model of Allergic Airway Disease
Endocrinology, February 1, 2006; 147(2): 754 - 761.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
S. Feng, N. V. Bogatcheva, A. A. Kamat, A. Truong, and A. I. Agoulnik
Endocrine Effects of Relaxin Overexpression in Mice
Endocrinology, January 1, 2006; 147(1): 407 - 414.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Reproductive SciencesHome page
L. S. Kirby, M. A. Kirby, J. W. Warren, L. T Tran, and S. M. Yellon
Increased Innervation and Ripening of the Prepartum Murine Cervix
Reproductive Sciences, December 1, 2005; 12(8): 578 - 585.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Clin Med ResHome page
C. S. Samuel
Relaxin: Antifibrotic Properties and Effects in Models of Disease
Clin. Med. Res., November 1, 2005; 3(4): 241 - 249.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
H.-Y. Lee and O. D. Sherwood
The Effects of Blocking the Actions of Estrogen and Progesterone on the Rates of Proliferation and Apoptosis of Cervical Epithelial and Stromal Cells During the Second Half of Pregnancy in Rats
Biol Reprod, October 1, 2005; 73(4): 790 - 797.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 HypertensionHome page
D. O. Debrah, K. P. Conrad, A. Jeyabalan, L. A. Danielson, and S. G. Shroff
Relaxin Increases Cardiac Output and Reduces Systemic Arterial Load in Hypertensive Rats
Hypertension, October 1, 2005; 46(4): 745 - 750.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
L. J. Kerchner, J. Novak, K. Hanley-Yanez, K. D. Doty, L. A. Danielson, and K. P. Conrad
Evidence against the Hypothesis that Endothelial Endothelin B Receptor Expression Is Regulated by Relaxin and Pregnancy
Endocrinology, June 1, 2005; 146(6): 2791 - 2797.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
D. O. Debrah, K. P. Conrad, L. A. Danielson, and S. G. Shroff
Effects of relaxin on systemic arterial hemodynamics and mechanical properties in conscious rats: sex dependency and dose response
J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2005; 98(3): 1013 - 1020.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Biol. Chem.Home page
C. Liu, C. Kuei, S. Sutton, J. Chen, P. Bonaventure, J. Wu, D. Nepomuceno, F. Kamme, D.-T. Tran, J. Zhu, et al.
INSL5 Is a High Affinity Specific Agonist for GPCR142 (GPR100)
J. Biol. Chem., January 7, 2005; 280(1): 292 - 300.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
H.-Y. Lee, S. Zhao, P. A. Fields, and O. D. Sherwood
The Extent to which Relaxin Promotes Proliferation and Inhibits Apoptosis of Cervical Epithelial and Stromal Cells Is Greatest during Late Pregnancy in Rats
Endocrinology, January 1, 2005; 146(1): 511 - 518.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
A. A. Kamat, S. Feng, N. V. Bogatcheva, A. Truong, C. E. Bishop, and A. I. Agoulnik
Genetic Targeting of Relaxin and Insulin-Like Factor 3 Receptors in Mice
Endocrinology, October 1, 2004; 145(10): 4712 - 4720.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.Home page
K. P. Conrad and J. Novak
Emerging role of relaxin in renal and cardiovascular function
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, August 1, 2004; 287(2): R250 - R261.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
K. P. Conrad, D. O. Debrah, J. Novak, L. A. Danielson, and S. G. Shroff
Relaxin Modifies Systemic Arterial Resistance and Compliance in Conscious, Nonpregnant Rats
Endocrinology, July 1, 2004; 145(7): 3289 - 3296.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Endocrinology Endocrine Reviews J. Clin. End. & Metab.
Molecular Endocrinology Recent Prog. Horm. Res. All Endocrine Journals
Copyright © 2004 by The Endocrine Society