Formation of atypical podosomes in extravillous trophoblasts regulates extracellular matrix degradation.

ABSTRACT: Throughout pregnancy the cytotrophoblast, the stem cell of the placenta, gives rise to the differentiated forms of trophoblasts. The two main cell lineages are the syncytiotrophoblast and the invading extravillous trophoblast. A successful pregnancy requires extravillous trophoblasts to migrate and invade through the decidua and then remodel the maternal spiral arteries. Many invasive cells use specialised cellular structures called invadopodia or podosomes in order to degrade extracellular matrix. Despite being highly invasive cells, the presence of invadapodia or podosomes has not previously been investigated in trophoblasts. In this study these structures have been identified and characterised in extravillous trophoblasts. The role of specialised invasive structures in trophoblasts in t

SUBMITTER: Patel A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3343263 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature