title: Factor seven activating protease (FSAP) expression in human placenta and its role in trophoblast migration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Factor seven activating protease (FSAP) is a plasma serine protease known to play a critical role in hemostasis and remodeling processes: FSAP levels increase markedly during normal pregnancy. In order to define the role of FSAP in vascular pathophysiology in pregnant women and particularly in the placenta, we performed this study (i) to evaluate the FSAP expression in human placenta and (ii) to identify the role of FSAP in human trophoblast migration.
  
  
  METHODS
  FSAP expression in placental tissues was analyzed by using immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To determine whether FSAP plays any role in trophoblast migration, we used human trophoblast cells in transwell migration assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistochemistry showed that FSAP protein was expressed by syncytiotrophoblast and in the cytoplasma of invasive extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) within the maternal decidua (DC) in implantation sites of human first trimester placenta. Furthermore, FSAP mRNA and protein decreased with gestational age (p<0.05, 1st vs 3rd trimester). FSAP (10μg/ml) had a significant stimulatory effect on the migration of human trophoblast cells. This effect was abolished by addition of aprotinin to block the enzymatic activity of FSAP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high expression level of FSAP in the placenta supports a relevant role of this protease in trophoblast migration and vascular remodeling, identifies a new concept of coagulation/fibrinolysis at the feto-maternal interface and may be essential for the maintenance of pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine I/Cardiology and Angiology, Justus-Liebig-University, Klinikstrasse 36, Giessen, Germany. mariana.parahuleva@innere.med.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: Mariana S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Parahuleva
authors.forename: Nelli
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Behnoush
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Parviz
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zandt
authors.forename: Yaser
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Abdallah
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tillmanns
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoelschermann
authors.forename: Sandip M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kanse
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D054443:Cell Migration Assays; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C433550:HABP2 protein, human; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases