Regulation of trophoblast invasion: the role of matrix metalloproteinases.

Pregnancy success is determined by a complex progress that includes trophoblast invasion and placentation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are metal-dependent endopeptidases capable of degrading extracellular matrix, and appear to play a critical role in trophoblast invasion. This article reviews in detail the role of MMPs, TIMPs, and their regulators in the mechanism of trophoblast invasion in early human pregnancy.