Expression of the αv integrin adhesion molecule during development of preimplantation human embryos

Objective: To investigate the expression of αv integrin in developing human embryos. Design: Observational study. Setting: University medical center. Patient(s): Women undergoing IVF cycles. Intervention(s): Immunofluorescent monoclonal antibodies against αv integrin were used to stain human preimplantation embryos. Main Outcome Measure(s): Immunofluorescence microscopy and computerized image analysis were used to evaluate both qualitative and quantitative expression of integrins in human embryo. Result(s): The αv integrin subunit was found to be expressed in human embryos throughout their development (from two-cell stage up to blastocyst). The expression of αv integrin subunit gradually increased throughout embryo development as measured quantitatively by image analysis. Conclusion(s): The expression of αv integrin subunit throughout the development of preimplantation human embryos reinforces the concept of a role for integrins in the process of implantation.