Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor and its receptor ErbB4 mediate implantation of the human blastocyst

Chobotova, K. and Spyropoulou, I. and Carver, J. and Manek, S. and Heath, J.K. and Gullick, W.J. and Barlow, D.H. and Sargent, I.L. and Mardon, H.J. (2002) Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor and its receptor ErbB4 mediate implantation of the human blastocyst. Mechanisms of Development, 119 (2). pp. 137-144. ISSN 0925-4773 .

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Official URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0925-4773(02)00342-8 ...

Abstract

The mechanisms that mediate implantation of the human embryo remain poorly understood and represent a fundamental problem in reproductive biology. Candidate molecules that mediate and facilitate implantation have been identified in animal studies, and include heparin binding epidermal growth factor. Here we demonstrate a potential function for the transmembrane form of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor in mediating blastocyst attachment to the endometrium, in two different novel in vitro models for human implantation. Furthermore, we demonstrate specific localisation of the heparin-binding epidermal growth factor receptor ErbB4, on the surface of the trophectoderm in peri-implantation human blastocysts. Our data lead the way for further dissection of the molecular mechanisms of implantation of the human embryo, and have implications for infertility, in vitro fertilization and contraception.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled keywords:	Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor; ErbB4; Implantation
Subjects:	Q Science R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
Divisions:	Faculties > Science Technology and Medical Studies > School of Biosciences > Biomedical Research Group
Depositing User:	Bill Gullick
Date Deposited:	12 Jun 2008 09:21
Last Modified:	05 Sep 2011 23:34
Resource URI:	http://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/3989 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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