The regulation of trophoblast invasion and decidual reaction by matrix metalloproteinase-2, metalloproteinase-7, and metalloproteinase-9 expressions in the rat endometrium.

All three MMPs seemed likely to be a key mediator of trophoblast invasion into the decidual region as well as angiogenesis during the placentation process. Due to the strong and wide expression of MMP-7 in the mature decidua, it could be suggested that MMP-7 is important for decidual ECM remodeling and it might be used as a new marker of decidual reaction.