engleski

Authentic vs. imitation: trophoblast vs. tumor

Because of their ability to rapidly proliferate, migrate and invade into maternal tissue, trophoblast cells are responsible for the pseudo- malignant nature of the ingrowing placenta and in many respects resemble malignant tumor cells. However, unlike pathological malignant states, the proliferative, migratory and invasive potentials of the trophoblast are physiologically regulated as well as spatially and temporally limited to the uterus and early stage of pregnancy. Failure of these mechanisms is equally detrimental to reproduction as is the excessive trophoblast invasion and only proper coordination between all these processes results in correct placental development and birth of a healthy child. Thus, insufficient invasiveness of the trophoblast may result in preeclampsia or in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), whereas inordinate invasion can lead to abnormal attachment of the placenta with uterine tissue layers (myometrium and perimetrium), resulting in placenta accreta, placenta increta or placenta percreta. In addition, uncontrolled trophoblast invasion may lead to a range of gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD), including gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, as well as development of reproductive and somatic tumors with pronounced trophoblastic component. To address some of the questions regarding normal vs. pathological trophoblast behavior as well as the development of ovarian neoplasms, we started studying the signaling pathways important for normal embryonal development, first the Wnt signaling pathway and, more recently, the Hedgehog signaling pathway. In our lecture we will present our own results on analysis of invasive processes in trophoblast/placenta and tumor tissues, obtained as a part of the research at the Center of Excellence for Regenerative and Reproductive Medicine from 2014 until today.

trophoblast ; ovarian neoplasms ; Wnt signaling pathway ; Hedgehog signaling pathway

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