Vascular remodeling and extracellular matrix breakdown in the uterine spiral arteries during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, trophoblasts invade and transform the maternal spiral arteries that supply blood to the placenta. Recent work has revealed that this process occurs in several stages, and details of the molecular and cellular mechanisms are beginning to emerge, including changes that precede or accompany trophoblastic colonization of the vascular media. Disruption and eventual loss of smooth muscle cells and their associated extracellular matrix are central to physiological transformation. Advances in understanding will lead to the identification of the causative factors involved in failure of remodeling in pathological pregnancies and suggest novel diagnostic and therapeutic avenues.
Harris
Lynda K
LK
Maternal and Fetal Health Research Group, University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
Aplin
John D
JD
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism; D004549:Elastin / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000378:metabolism; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D004549:Elastin; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase