The role of integrins in human embryo implantation

Integins are adhesion molecules present in endometrial, decidual, and extravillous cytotrophoblast (EVCT) cells. They participate in cell-cell adhesion as well as in adhesion between cells and components of the extracellular matrix, and they play an important role in the endometrial phenotype change that occurs during the secretory phase, the first stage of implantation. At the beginning of pregnancy, the change in integrin expression is synchronized with the trophoblast attachment (embryo-endometrium interactions with integrins alphav beta3, alpha4 beta1, alpha6 beta1, and alpha7 beta1) and the embryo's invasion of the deck dua (integrins alpha6 beta4 --> alpha5 beta1 --> alpha1 beta1 --> alpha4 beta1 switch from proliferative to endovascular EVCT). Several diseases, including preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation caused by vascular problems and defective luteal phases, may be explained by anomalies in integrin patterns. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.