ABSTRACT
In mammals the embryo must implant in the uterus and develop a placenta to gain nutrition
and facilitate gas exchange. In this article, the earliest events in this process
are reviewed. The embryo can implant only when it has reached the blastocyst stage.
The blastocyst is composed of an inner clump of cells, the inner cell mass, that gives
rise to the fetus and an outer layer of trophectoderm (TE), the precursor of the placenta.
Both blastocyst and uterus must differentiate in parallel to reach the appropriate
state of maturity (activated blastocyst and receptive uterus) at which implantation
can occur. Interaction between TE and the luminal epithelium (LE) lining the uterus
initiates implantation, and both soluble signals and association between molecules
on apposed surfaces appear to be involved. A number of cell surface molecules have
been implicated in the initial attachment between TE and LE. These include HSPG, Le-y
and the H-type-1 antigen, HB-EGF, trophinin-tastin-bystin complex, integrins, and
extracellular matrix molecules such as osteopontin and laminin. Others, such as mucins,
may need to be removed or modified to allow adhesion to proceed. Evidence for the
role of these components is discussed.
KEYWORD