Figure 9.

HOXA10-STAT3 crosstalk in governing trophoblast invasion. At the site of invasion where HOXA10 levels are low in the deicudal cells, there is increased secretion of gp130 cytokines. These cytokines in a paracrine manner phosphorylate STAT3 in trophoblast cells, thereby increasing the expression of MMPs to facilitate the degradation of extracellular matrix and increase their invasiveness. At sites where the decidual HOXA10 is high, the expression of gp130 cytokines is kept under check, thereby limiting the STAT3 activation, MMP production, and hence the trophoblast invasion (see text for further explanation).