Human chorionic gonadotropine receptor and its roles in pregnancy

R. Bohîlțea, M. Cîrstoiu, C. Ionescu, V. Rădoi, R. Botea, S. Vlădăreanu

Rezumat: Receptors for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are found in the gonads expressed by the theca cells, interstitial cells, differentiated granulosa and lutheal cells, in the endometrial epithelium, myometrium and tubal mucosa, in the breast tissue, in the endothelium and smooth muscle of the uterine artery, in the cervix, thyroid, retina and skin tissue, on lymphocytes, macrophages, neuroendocrine cells, Leydig cells, seminal vesicles and prostate cells, and are present in a series of fetal vital organs. In pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin, a glycoprotein which has almost the same structure as the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH), is one of the earliest products of the cells forming the embryo and can be considered one of the first signals elaborated by the embryo; it is involved in maintaining the corpus luteum, in implantation process, in immunomodulation, placental morphogenesis and function, as well as fetal growth and differentiation. Initially, immature trophoblast cells secrete β-hCG units, than in later pregnancy, complete αβ hCG is secreted by the trophoblast cells of vSTB fenotype, hCG secretion having a predictible pattern during a successful pregnancy. The hormone is an ideal marker in the diagnosis and monitoring of early intrauterine pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease, fetal aneuploidy, and placental dysfunction.
Cuvinte cheie: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), LH/hCG receptor, aneuploidies, trophoblastic disease, ectopic pregnancy.