--- - |2- H2O2 (a reactive oxygen species) at 25 μM concentration increases human HTR‐8/SVneo cells invasion. The underlying mechanism of H2O2‐mediated increase in HTR‐8/SVneo cells invasion depends on increased MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 ratio, and secretion of IL‐8 and MIP‐1β via activation of STAT signaling. During pregnancy, regulated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is important for activation of signaling pathways and placentation. In the current study, the effect of H2O2 on invasion of HTR‐8/SVneo cells, a human extravillous trophoblast cell line, is investigated. Treatment of HTR‐8/SVneo cells for 24 hr with H 2O2 (25 µM) leads to a significant increase in invasion without affecting cell proliferation, viability, and apoptosis. Concomitantly, a significant increase in the matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9)/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1) ratio is observed. Further, significant increase in phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT‐1) and STAT‐3 (both at ser727 residue) is observed on treating HTR‐8/SVneo cells with 25 µM of H2O2 accompanied by an increase in the secretion of interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β (MIP‐1β). A significant decrease in H2O2‐mediated invasion of HTR‐8/SVneo cells and reduced expression of IL‐8 and MIP‐1β accompanied by decrease in MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 ratio are observed on inhibiting STAT‐1 and STAT‐3 by small interfering RNA (siRNA). Inhibition of STAT‐1 activity by fludarabine and STAT‐3 activity by Stattic also leads to a decrease in H2O2‐mediated increase in HTR‐8/SVneo cell invasion. Inhibition of IL‐8 and MIP‐1β by siRNA also leads to a significant decrease in both basal and H2O2‐mediated invasion. Interestingly, inhibition of MIP‐1β by siRNA leads to a significant reduction in H2O2‐mediated increase in IL‐8. However, no significant effect of IL‐8 silencing on H2O2‐mediated MIP‐1β expression was observed. From the above results, it can be concluded that H2O2 activates STAT signaling, MIP‐1β & IL‐8 secretion and increases MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 ratio leading to an increased invasion of HTR‐8/SVneo cells without affecting their viability. - 'Journal of Cellular Physiology, Volume 234, Issue 2, Page 1380-1397, February 2019. '