Interactions between growth factors and connexin 40 in the regulation of extravillous trophoblast differentiation.
Published: 2007
Language: eng
Number of pages: 179
ISBN-13: 9780494273975
Description: This study examines the role of decidua-secreted factors in extravillous trophoblast (EVT) differentiation. We hypothesize that differentiation of proliferative EVT to the invasive phenotype is mediated by a stimulus of decidual origin and that this factor(s) signals through the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (HER) to downregulate connexin 40 (Cx40) expression. Using the JAR choriocarcinoma cell line and placental villous explants as experimental models, our results demonstrate that decidua conditioned media (DCM) induced the invasive EVT phenotype; this effect was abrogated by the HER-1 antagonist AG1478. EGF was able to mimick many of the effects of DCM, however it did not result in Cx40 downregulation in placental villous explants or in the migration of JAR cells.	Our data suggests that while HER signaling is involved in mediating EVT differentiation events, a stimulus beyond that provided by EGF is required for the complete differentiation of invasive EVT.
Notes: Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 3139.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2007.

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