Fermitin family homolog-2 (FERMT2) is highly expressed in human placental villi and modulates trophoblast invasion.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Integrins are transmembrane receptors that mediate cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell-cell adhesion and trophoblast cells undergo changes in integrin expression as they differentiate. However, the mechanism(s) of integrin activation leading to integrin-mediated signaling in trophoblast cell differentiation is unknown. The Fermitin family proteins are integrin activators that help mediate integrin-mediated signaling, but have never been studied in detail within the human placenta. Thus, we examined the spatiotemporal pattern of expression of Fermitin family homolog-2 (FERMT2) in human chorionic villi throughout gestation and its role in trophoblast-substrate adhesion and invasion.

Methods

Placental villous tissue was obtained from patients undergoing elective

SUBMITTER: Kawamura E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6211606 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature