Amphiregulin regulates the production of human chorionic gonadotropin in trophoblasts.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands produced in syncytiotrophoblasts during normal pregnancy.


METHODS
We examined the expression of EGFR ligands in human pregnancy by real-time PCR, and analyzed the relationship between EGFR ligands and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or human placental lactogen in amniotic fluid by ELISA. In addition, we also examined the EGFR ligands in syncytiotrophoblasts and the amount of hCG secretion in JAR, JEG3 and BeWo cells in the presence of each EGFR ligand.


RESULTS
In order to identify possible candidates among the EGFR ligands, we examined the predominant expression of an EGFR ligand in the chorionic villi and amniotic fluid during normal pregnancy, and analyzed the relationship between EGFR ligands and hCG in trophoblastic model cells. Amphiregulin was primarily expressed throughout human pregnancy and stimulated the secretion of hCG, indicating that amphiregulin is a key molecule among EGFR ligands.


CONCLUSIONS
Amphiregulin may play a pivotal role in the development or maturation of placenta.
Fukami
Tatsuya
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan. ty-obgyn@cis.fukuoka-u.ac.jp ty-obgyn@cis.fukuoka-u.ac.jp
Yoshizato
Toshiyuki
T
Miyamoto
Shingo
S
Yagi
Hiroshi
H
Yotsumoto
Fusanori
F
Nabeshima
Kazuki
K
Hachisuga
Toru
T
Kuroki
Masahide
M
Kawarabayashi
Tatsuhiko
T