Cell adhesion and communication in the corpus luteum-Function and regulation of tight and adherens junctions in the luteal vascular systemTranslation into pathophysiology Regulation of permeability in ovarian cancer

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Christine Wulff
• Subject Area: Gynaecology and Obstetrics
• Term: from 2009 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 146229695

From previous studies it is known that various cytokeratins and growth factors are involved in the regulation of adhesion proteins and in the regulation of permeability.We already demonstrated a physiological hCG mediated regulation of permeability between VEGF and the adhesion proteins VE-cadherin, claudin 5 and nectin 2 in an human corpus luteum model. Regardless of the hCG / VEGF / adhesion protein interaction we also examined a second system, the Robo / Slit system. There, we were able to find a direct VEGF-dependent downregulation of Slit 2/Robo in the CL. Based on these positive findings we firstly examined the permeability regulation of the human ovarian cancer ascites. Here we were able to detect a regulatory system between VEGF and claudin 5 with consequently increased permeability.With recourse to this pdata, we would now like to focus on the examination of more details about the adhesion proteins VE-cadherin, claudin 5 and nectin 2 in the corpus luteum as well as their interaction with the Robo / Slit System in physiological and pathophysiological models of the CL and the human ovarian cancer.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Dr. Inga Bekes