Modelling the action of proteinase and inhibitor in tissue invasion

Tissue invasion processes have been receiving considerable attention in recent years. The successful invasion and subsequent implantation of a mammalian trophoblast into maternal uterine tissue is under the control of a self-regulating mechanism, as yet not fully determined, which if operating incorrectly can lead to the excessive placental invasion associated with choriocarcinoma or insufficient placental invasion as occurs in the condition of pre-eclampsia. It is hoped that developing an understanding of the mechanisms governing the invasion of trophoblast cells into uterine tissue may lead to an understanding of the control of invasive mechanisms such as those observed in the development of invasive cancers. We have developed here a number of mathematical models in order to gain a better understanding of the role of proteinase and inhibitors in the context of trophoblast invasion. The models, which may be extended to other tissue invasion mechanisms, are based upon a series of proposed experiments involving blastocysts invading reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) allowing the quantification of the proteinase–Matrigel and proteinase–inhibitor interactions.