Expression of adhesion molecules during normal pregnancy

Abstract

We review the available information regarding the role of adhesive molecules as potential participants in the complex events of fertilization, embryogenesis, implantation and placentation. Studies that specifically relate to the expression and modulation of adhesive molecules in fertilization, embryogenesis, and implantation have been identified in the literature and by Medline searches. Cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions play a critical role in various developmental processes and in the cascade of events that lead to implantation and to the normal development of the fetus during pregnancy. Adhesion molecules influence, directly or indirectly, numerous aspects of cell behaviour, cell migration, cell growth, cell survival, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis.

Tracking the intermediate stages of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in epithelial stem cells and cancer

“…Formation of the chorionic villi, requiring extensive blood vessel remodeling, constitutes the second developmental EMT event. [17][18][19][20] Precise regulation of trophoblast EMT is essential for successful implantation and placentation. Under normal conditions, the trophoblast invasive potential is restricted both temporally and spatially according to trophoblast differentiation signals.…”

Adam12 plays a role during uterine decidualization in mice

“…Adam12 has been previously suggested to be involved in regulating the activity of cell surface integrins, the subsequent reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, and the attachment between the cell and extracellular matrix (ECM) components through the connection of its extracellular disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains (Kawaguchi et al 2003). Cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions play an important role in the decidualization of stromal cells (Pafilis et al 2007). Therefore, Adam12 might participate in the decidualization of stromal cells by indirectly regulating cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions.…”

Regulation of invasive growth: similar epigenetic mechanisms underpin tumour progression and implantation in human pregnancy

“…E-cadherin expression is high in the syncytiotrophoblast layer and is down-regulated when cytotrophoblasts leave the villi and invade the interstitial tissue of the decidua [8,[32][33][34]. Direct evidence for an inverse correlation between motility and E-cadherin expression among cells of the trophoblast lineage has become available [33,35].…”

“…Trophoblast invasion requires substantial and reversible changes to the cell adhesion phenotype [7,8], and in this regard the regulation of functional expression of adheren junction molecules, in particular of E-cadherin, plays a key role in controlling invasive potential. Downregulation of functional E-cadherin expression is also commonly associated with cell invasion and metastasis in a number of human cancers [9][10][11][12][13].…”