The pattern of expression of protease-activated receptors (PARs) during early trophoblast development.

Human fetal development depends on the ability of the embryo to gain access to the maternal circulation. Thus, specialized stem cells of the newly formed placenta, trophoblast, invade the uterus and its arterial network to establish an efficient feto-maternal molecular exchange. To accomplish this task, trophoblast differentiation during the first trimester of pregnancy involves cell proliferation, invasion, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling.

Human protease-activated receptor 1 expression in malignant epithelia: a role in invasiveness.

While protease-activated receptors (PARs) play a traditional role in vascular biology, they emerge with surprisingly new assignments in tumor biology. PAR1 expression correlates with the invasion properties of breast carcinoma, whereas human PAR1 antisense reduces their ability to migrate through Matrigel. Part of the molecular mechanism of PAR1 invasion involves the formation of focal contact complexes on PAR1 activation.

Oncogenic transformation induces tumor angiogenesis: a role for PAR1 activation.

The formation of new blood vessels is a critical determinant of tumor progression. We find that Par1 gene expression plays a central role in blood vessel recruitment in animal models. By in vivo injection of either Matrigel plugs containing Par1-expressing cells or of rat prostatic carcinoma cells transfected with tetracycline-inducible Par1 expression vectors, we show that Par1 significantly enhances both angiogenesis and tumor growth.

Gonadotropin stimulation of MLS human epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells augments cell adhesion mediated by CD44 and by alpha(v)-integrin.

Objective: The goal of this work was to evaluate the involvement of gonadotropins in the regulation of adhesion of human epithelial ovarian carcinoma. We studied two pathways that were previously implicated in the metastatic implantation of ovarian carcinoma to the peritoneum, namely hyaluronan-CD44 and RGD-integrin mediated adhesion.

Methods: Two cell lines derived from human epithelial ovarian carcinoma (MLS and OC238) were stimulated with luteinizing hormone (LH) and/or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).