Aims
The aim of our study is to illustrate the role of amphiregulin in trophoblast invasiveness and underlying signal cascades. Main
Methods
An immortalized human early extravillous cell line, HTR-8/SVneo, was used for this investigation. Matrigel-transwell invasion assay was used for testing the effects of amphiregulin on cell invasiveness. MMP9 and MMP2 mRNA expression level and activity were measured using Rt-qPCR and zymographic analysis. Cell signals involved in the invasion process were verified using western blot and specific inhibitors. Key findings: Our
Significance
ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathways mediate amphiregulin-induced upregulation of MMP9 mRNA and the MMP9/TIMP-1 ratio, which subsequently contribute to amphiregulin-promotion of HTR-8/SVneo cell invasion.