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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

In Vitro Culture of Epithelial Cells from Different Anatomical Regions of the Human Amniotic Membrane
Published on: November 28, 2019
Amphiregulin regulates the production of human chorionic gonadotropin in trophoblasts
Tatsuya Fukami1, Toshiyuki Yoshizato, Shingo Miyamoto
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan. ty-obgyn@cis.fukuoka-u.ac.jp ty-obgyn@cis.fukuoka-u.ac.jp
Aims:
The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands produced in syncytiotrophoblasts during normal pregnancy.
Main Methods:
We examined the expression of EGFR ligands in human pregnancy by real-time PCR, and analyzed the relationship between EGFR ligands and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or human placental lactogen in amniotic fluid by ELISA. In addition, we also examined the EGFR ligands in syncytiotrophoblasts and the amount of hCG secretion in JAR, JEG3 and BeWo cells in the presence of each EGFR ligand.
Key Findings:
In order to identify possible candidates among the EGFR ligands, we examined the predominant expression of an EGFR ligand in the chorionic villi and amniotic fluid during normal pregnancy, and analyzed the relationship between EGFR ligands and hCG in trophoblastic model cells. Amphiregulin was primarily expressed throughout human pregnancy and stimulated the secretion of hCG, indicating that amphiregulin is a key molecule among EGFR ligands.
Significance:
Amphiregulin may play a pivotal role in the development or maturation of placenta.
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