title: Fetal-maternal communication: the role of Notch signalling in embryo implantation.
abstract: The establishment of a successful pregnancy requires the implantation of a competent blastocyst into a 'receptive' endometrium, facilitating the formation of a functional placenta. Inadequate or inappropriate implantation and placentation is a major reason for infertility and is thought to lead to first-trimester miscarriage, placental insufficiency and other obstetric complications. Blastocyst-endometrial interactions are critical for implantation and placental formation. The Notch signalling family is a receptor-ligand family that regulates cellular processes as diverse as proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, invasion and adhesion. Notch signalling is achieved via cell-cell interaction; thus, via Notch, cells can have direct effects on the fate of their neighbours. Recently, a number of studies have identified Notch receptors and ligands in the endometrium, blastocyst and placenta. This review collates current knowledge of this large receptor-ligand family and explores the role of Notch signalling during implantation and placentation, drawing on information from both human and animal studies. Overall, the evidence suggests that Notch signalling is a critical component of fetal-maternal communication during implantation and placentation and that abnormal Notch expression is associated with impaired placentation and pre-eclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Embryo Implantation Laboratory, Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Clayton, Victoria 3180, Australia.
authors.forename: Carly
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cuman
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Menkhorst
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Winship
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Sinderen
authors.forename: Tiki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Osianlis
authors.forename: Luk J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Rombauts
authors.forename: Evdokia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dimitriadis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000235:genetics*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000235:genetics*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D010929:Placentation / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D051880:Receptors, Notch