Date of Award
2010
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Supervisor
Dr. Andy V. Babwah
Second Advisor
Dr. A. Watson
Third Advisor
Dr. P. Chidiac
Abstract
During the first trimester of human pregnancy, cytotrophoblasts proliferate within the tips of the chorionic villi to form cell columns that anchor the placenta to the uterus. This migration coincides with a widespread change in the adhesion molecule repertoire of these trophoblasts. Kisspeptin and its receptor, GPR54 are highly expressed in the human placenta and inhibit trophoblast migration in vitro. Here we show that kisspeptin treatment induces increased adhesion of human extravillous trophoblasts to collagen I, suggesting a mechanism of integrin activation. Additionally, inhibition of both protein kinase C and ERK1/2 attenuated this increase, suggesting that these molecules are key positive regulators of trophoblast adhesion. Furthermore, kisspeptin treatment increased blastocyst adhesion to collagen I, suggesting that kisspeptin signaling is a key regulator of trophoblast function during implantation as well as early placentation.
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Jay Edward, "Kisspeptin/GPR54 Signaling Potentiates Extravillous Trophoblast Adhesion in a Protein Kinase C and ERK 1/2-Dependent Manner" (2010). Digitized Theses. 4267.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4267