Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Visualization and Quantitative Analysis of Embryonic Angiogenesis in Xenopus tropicalis
Published on: May 25, 2017
Expression of the alphav integrin adhesion molecule during development of preimplantation human embryos
A K Dubey1, J R Cruz, B Hartog
1Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Fertility, and IVF Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Objective:
To investigate the expression of alphav integrin in developing human embryos.
Design:
Observational study.
Setting:
University medical center.
Patient(S):
Women undergoing IVF cycles.
Intervention(S):
Immunofluorescent monoclonal antibodies against alphav integrin were used to stain human preimplantation embryos.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Immunofluorescence microscopy and computerized image analysis were used to evaluate both qualitative and quantitative expression of integrins in human embryos.
Result(S):
The alphav integrin subunit was found to be expressed in human embryos throughout their development (from two-cell stage up to blastocyst). The expression of alphav integrin subunit gradually increased throughout embryo development as measured quantitatively by image analysis.
Conclusion(S):
The expression of alphav integrin subunit throughout the development of preimplantation human embryos reinforces the concept of a role for integrins in the process of implantation.
Related Concept Videos
Cleavage and Blastulation
Integrins
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Activation of Integrins
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...

