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Serine protease HtrA1 is developmentally regulated in trophoblast and uterine decidual cells during placental formation in the mouse
Author(s) -
Nie Guiying,
Li Ying,
Salamonsen Lois A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.20399
Subject(s) - trophoblast , placentation , decidua , biology , decidual cells , proteases , placenta , microbiology and biotechnology , uterus , andrology , endocrinology , pregnancy , fetus , genetics , enzyme , biochemistry , medicine
Abstract Development of a hemochorial placenta involves trophoblast proliferation, differentiation, and invasion into the uterus to promote blood flow to the embryo. Trophoblast invasion is tightly controlled by expression of specific proteases in the trophoblast and highly coordinated activities in the uterus. One uterine event essential for placentation is the developmentally regulated formation and regression of the decidua. In mice, decidual regression takes place in a temporal‐ and spatial‐specific manner that is coordinated with placental development. In this study, we identified that the serine protease HtrA1 (high temperature requirement factor A1) was specifically expressed in differentiated trophoblast cells, especially the giant cells, during the early stages of placental development. A high level of HtrA1 expression was also detected in decidua capsularis specifically at the decidual–trophoblast interface where active involution occurs. Thus, we have identified a previously unknown role for HtrA1 as a protease potentially important for trophoblast differentiation/invasion and uterine decidual regression during placental development. Developmental Dynamics 233:1102–1109, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.