Distinct expression and localization of serine protease HtrA1 in human endometrium and first‐trimester placenta

Abstract

Mammalian embryos cannot survive without the placenta. Development of the human placenta requires trophoblast proliferation, differentiation, and invasion as well as highly coordinated modulation of the maternal uterus. HtrA1 is a member of the recently identified mammalian HtrA (high temperature requirement factor A) serine protease family with a high level of expression in the placenta. In this study, we examined whether HtrA1 expression (mRNA and protein) is associated with placental development in the human. HtrA1 is up-regulated in both endometrial glands and decidual cells during endometrial preparation for embryo implantation and during first-trimester pregnancy at placentation. HtrA1 expression was also detected in certain trophoblast subtypes during early pregnancy. The villous syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast showed the strongest expression while the interstitial extravillous trophoblast showed the lowest or no expression of HtrA1. The distinct distribution of HtrA1 at the maternaltrophoblast interface suggests that HtrA1 may play a role in placental development. Developmental Dynamics 235:3448 -3455, 2006.

Dynamic changes in messenger RNA profiles of bovine endometrium during the oestrous cycle

“…The mRNA expression profile (cluster 6) was similar to those of fibrillar collagens. In addition, the expression of HTRA1 has been shown in the human placenta at the maternal-trophoblast interface (Nie et al 2006). The mRNA expression profiles of all these genes suggest a complex regulation of the ECM remodelling in the bovine endometrium during the oestrous cycle.…”

HTRA1, an age‐related macular degeneration protease, processes extracellular matrix proteins EFEMP1 and TSP1

“…HTRA1 mutations also cause the genetic vascular disease, cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL; Hara et al., 2009). The protein is implicated as a tumor suppressor and shown to play an important role in extracellular matrix remodeling during placental development and arthritis (Chien et al., 2004; Grau et al., 2006; Nie et al., 2006). It cleaves and inhibits TGF beta, and several extracellular matrix proteins, including fibronectin and amyloid precursor protein (Beaufort et al., 2014; Grau et al., 2005; Oka et al., 2004).…”

HTRA1 (HtrA serine peptidase 1)

“…The highest expression was detected in mature layers of epidermis (De Luca et al, 2003). It was demonstrated that HTRA1 expression in glandular and stromal cells increases gradually across menstrual cycle and reaches the maximum level at the mid-and late secretory phases (Nie et al, 2006). It was also reported that HTRA1 expression changes during pregnancy both in placental and endometrial cells.…”

“…It was also reported that HTRA1 expression changes during pregnancy both in placental and endometrial cells. Upregulation of HTRA1 was observed in endometrial glands and decidual cells during preparation of endometrium for embryo implantation and during the first trimester of placentation (Nie et al, 2006). However, the highest expression of HTRA1 was detected in placenta in the third trimester of gestation (De Luca et al, 2004).…”