Figure 7.

Schematic representation of LIMK1 activity in the human placenta. During normal pregnancy, CTB progenitors of invasive extravillous trophoblasts express high levels of LIMK1 likely driven by HIF-2α activity. LIMK1 promotes cytoskeletal integrity as well as MMP processing, thereby promoting CTB invasion. CTB invasion and differentiation are linked. Therefore, LIMK1 activity also enhances CTB differentiation while inhibiting SynT formation. In the setting of preeclampsia, LIMK1 expression is frequently diminished, resulting in altered CTB cytoskeletal integrity, MMP processing, differentiation and invasive capacity. This may contribute to shallow placentation with associated impaired spiral artery remodeling and imbalances in maternal blood pressure regulation. PreE, preeclampsia.