Dong Hongmei, Yu Chaoran, Mu Jiao, Zhang Ji, Lin Wei
Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
Mol Reprod Dev. 2016 Jan;83(1):12-8. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22593. Epub 2015 Nov 13.
EFNB2 and EPHB4, which belong to a large tyrosine kinase receptor superfamily, are molecular markers of arterial and venous blood vessels, respectively. EFNB2/EPHB4 signaling plays an important role in physiological and pathological angiogenesis, and its role in tumor vessel development has been extensively studied. Pregnancy and tumors share similar features, including continuous cell proliferation and increased demand for a blood supply. Our previous studies showed that Efnb2 and Ephb4 were expressed dynamically in the spiral arteries, uterine natural killer cells, and trophoblasts during mouse gestation Days 6.5-12.5. Moreover, uterine natural killer cells and trophoblasts are required for the modification of spiral arteries. Oxygen tension within the pregnant uterus, which contributes to the vascular development, also affects EFNB2 and EPHB4 expression. Considering the role of EFNB2/EPHB4 signaling in embryonic and tumor vascular development, and its dynamic expression in the decidua and placenta, we hypothesize that EFNB2 and EPHB4 are involved in the regulation of spiral artery remodeling. Investigating this hypothesis will help clarify the mechanisms of pathological pregnancy that may underlie abnormal spiral artery development.
EFNB2和EPHB4属于一个大型酪氨酸激酶受体超家族，分别是动脉血管和静脉血管的分子标志物。EFNB2/EPHB4信号传导在生理性和病理性血管生成中起重要作用，其在肿瘤血管发育中的作用已得到广泛研究。妊娠和肿瘤具有相似的特征，包括持续的细胞增殖和对血液供应需求的增加。我们之前的研究表明，在小鼠妊娠第6.5至12.5天期间，Efnb2和Ephb4在螺旋动脉、子宫自然杀伤细胞和滋养层细胞中动态表达。此外，子宫自然杀伤细胞和滋养层细胞是螺旋动脉重塑所必需的。妊娠子宫内的氧张力有助于血管发育，也会影响EFNB2和EPHB4的表达。考虑到EFNB2/EPHB4信号传导在胚胎和肿瘤血管发育中的作用，以及其在蜕膜和胎盘中的动态表达，我们推测EFNB2和EPHB4参与螺旋动脉重塑的调节。对这一推测的研究将有助于阐明可能是螺旋动脉发育异常基础的病理性妊娠机制。
