Comparative study on the effect of integrin αvβ3 on secretion of matrix metalloproteinases in human normal and carcinoma trophoblasts

The invasion of cytotrophoblast cells into the maternal endometrium during embryonic implantation is very similar to the metastasis of carcinoma cells. However, the significant difference is that the former is a highly controlled process. In this report, the effects of integrin αvβ3 on the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) were compared between normal cytotrophoblast cells and choriocarcinoma cells by RT-PCR, gelatin zymography and immunocytochemistry. The results reveal that both normal cytotrophoblast cells and choriocarcinoma cells can express integrin αvβ3. The secretion of MMPs in normal cytotrophoblast cells is up-regulated by anti-αvβ3 antibody, whereas, decreased in choriocarcinoma cells. It was suggested that αvβ3 can modulate the expression of MMPs in trophoblasts, and this action is carried out through distinct mechanisms in normal and carcinoma cytotrophoblast cells.