| Extragonadal actions of chorionic gonadotropin. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 21845366 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
The primary embryonic signal in primates is chorionic gonadotropin (CG, designated hCG in humans), that is classically associated with corpus luteum rescue and progesterone production. However, research over the past decade has revealed the presence of the hCG receptor in a variety of extragonadal tissues. Additionally, discoveries of the multiple variants of hCG, namely, native hCG, hyperglycosylated hCG (hyp-hCG) and the β- subunit of the hyperglycosylated hCG (hCG-free β) has established a role for extragonadal actions of hCG. For the initiation and maintenance of pregnancy, hCG mediates multiple placental, uterine and fetal functions. Some of these include development of syncytiotrophoblast cells, mitotic growth and differentiation of the endometrium, localized suppression of the maternal immune system, modulation of uterine morphology and gene expression and coordination of intricate signal transduction between the endometrium. Recurrent pregnancy loss, pre-eclampsia and endometriosis are associated with altered responses of hCG, all of which have a detrimental effect on pregnancy. A role for hyp-hCG in mediating the development of both trophoblastic and non-trophoblastic tumors has also been suggested. Other significant non-gonadal applications of hCG include predicting preeclampsia, determining the risk of Down's syndrome and gestational trophoblastic disease, along with relaxing myometrial contractility and preventing recurrent miscarriages. Presence of hCG free-β in serum of cancer patients enables its usage as a diagnostic tumor marker. Thus, the extragonadal functions of hCG encompasses a wide spectrum of applications and is an open area for continued investigation. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Prajna Banerjee; Asgerally T Fazleabas |
Related Documents
:
|
9423796 - Prothrombin synthesis in the adult and fetal liver. 21710186 - Smoking cessation intervention for pregnant women: a call for extension to the postpart... 18928496 - Acute type a aortic dissection at seven weeks of gestation in a marfan patient: case re... 8043456 - Successful use of all-trans retinoic acid in acute promyelocytic leukaemia presenting d... 20438366 - Fatty acid supply to the human fetus. 17255066 - First time mothers' anxiety and depressive symptoms across the transition to motherhood... |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2011-8-17 |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders Volume: - ISSN: 1573-2606 ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2011 Aug |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2011-8-16 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 100940588 Medline TA: Rev Endocr Metab Disord Country: - |
Other Details:
|
Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Affiliation:
|
Department of Medicine/Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
|
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Vitamin D and the skin: Physiology and pathophysiology.
Next Document: Bioaccumulation and glutathione-mediated detoxification of copper and cadmium in Sphagnum squarrosum...