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Placental defects in alpha7 integrin null mice
J V Welser1, N D Lange, N Flintoff-Dye
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
Placenta
|October 2, 2007
Summary
The alpha7beta1 integrin is crucial for placental vascular development. Its absence causes structural defects, reduced growth, and impaired blood vessel formation, contributing to embryonic lethality.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Integrin Signaling
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- The alpha7beta1 integrin is a transmembrane receptor linking the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton.
- Loss of the alpha7 integrin chain leads to partial embryonic lethality and vascular smooth muscle cell defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the alpha7beta1 integrin in placental vascular development.
- To determine if placental defects contribute to embryonic lethality in alpha7 integrin null embryos.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of placental structure and vascularization in embryonic day 9.5 and 13.5 alpha7 integrin knockout embryos.
- Assessment of embryonic and placental weights.
- Evaluation of vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation, extracellular matrix deposition, and alpha5 integrin expression.
Main Results:
- Alpha7 integrin null placentae exhibited structural abnormalities, including spongiotrophoblast infiltration and reduced labyrinthine space.
- Embryos and placentae lacking alpha7 integrin showed reduced weight.
- Defects in vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation, altered extracellular matrix, and reduced alpha5 integrin expression were observed in knockout placentae.
Conclusions:
- The alpha7beta1 integrin plays a significant role in placental vascular development.
- Loss of the alpha7 integrin results in placental defects that may contribute to embryonic lethality.
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