Human amniotic glycodelin actively regulates changes in β-catenin immunoreactivity in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the capacity of Glycodelin A (GdA) to modulate the aggregation of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
METHODS: Highly purified Glycodelin A (GdA) from late first trimester amniotic fluid has been added to cultured cells and its biological activity has been observed with immunofluorescent staining of β-catenin molecules.
RESULTS: GdA induces translocation of β-catenin molecules promoting cell-to-cell adhesion and formation of adherents junctions through cytoskeletal reorganization.
CONCLUSION: These data provide further mechanistic insight into the specificity of cell-to-cell adhesion, thus corroborating the role of GdA in promoting angiogenesis.