title: Regulation of trophoblast invasion: the role of matrix metalloproteinases.
abstract: Pregnancy success is determined by a complex progress that includes trophoblast invasion and placentation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are metal-dependent endopeptidases capable of degrading extracellular matrix, and appear to play a critical role in trophoblast invasion. This article reviews in detail the role of MMPs, TIMPs, and their regulators in the mechanism of trophoblast invasion in early human pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
authors.forename: Jia-Yu
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zhan-Jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Yan-Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Yu
keywords: Matrix metalloproteinases; Placenta; Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases; Trophoblast invasion