Maureen Basha, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Ph.D. (2003) University of Minnesota
Phone: 215-762-4145  
Email: mbasha@drexelmed.edu

Summary of research interests

Pelvic organ prolapse and sexual dysfunction are common urogynecological problems facing the aging female population. Given the important role of the vaginal wall in sexual function and pelvic organ support, the focus of my laboratory is to determine molecular mechanisms regulating contraction of vaginal smooth muscle. We have demonstrated a regional heterogeneity in isoform expression of myosin, the molecular motor of contraction, in the vaginal wall and provide compelling evidence that the smooth muscle of the proximal vagina is a phasic-type muscle compared to the tonic distal vagina (Basha et al., 2006). Recent experiments have also indicated differences in muscarinic signaling in proximal and distal vaginal smooth muscle. These results suggest distinct physiological roles of the proximal and distal vagina and emphasize the need to account for regional differences in structure, function and regulation in studies of the vaginal muscularis.

As it is possible that the increased incidence of pelvic floor disorders with age may be related to the effect of hormonal status on vaginal smooth muscle, the aim of current research is to determine the effect of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement on contractile protein expression and contractile function of the vaginal muscularis. Our rodent studies permit the control of the conflicting variables of age, parity and estrogen status and are therefore essential to develop our understanding of the pathogenesis of female pelvic floor disorders.

Selected publication:

Basha, M., Chang, S., Smolock, E. M., Moreland, R. S., Wein, A. J., and Chacko, S. Regional differences in myosin heavy chain isoform expression and maximal shortening velocity of the rat vaginal wall smooth muscle. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, R1076-R1084, 2006.