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Ma Y, Yu X, Ye S, Li W, Yang Q, Li YX, Wang Y, Wang YL. Immune-regulatory properties of endovascular extravillous trophoblast cells in human placenta. Placenta 2024; 145:107-116. [PMID: 38128221 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uterine spiral artery remodeling is the prerequisite for ensuring adequate blood supply to the maternal-fetal interface during human pregnancy. One crucial cellular event in this process involves the extensive replacement of the spiral artery endothelial cells by endovascular extravillous trophoblasts (enEVTs), a subtype of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs). However, our understanding of the properties of enEVTs remains limited. METHODS Human enEVTs in decidual tissues during early pregnancy was purified using flow sorting by specific makers, NCAM1 and HLA-G. The high-throughput RNA sequencing analysis as well as the cytokine antibody array experiments were carried out to analyze for cell properties. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment, kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed on differentially expressed genes of enEVTs. Immunofluorescent assays were used to verify the analysis results. RESULTS Both enEVTs and interstitial EVTs (iEVTs) exhibited gene expression patterns typifying EVT characteristics. Intriguingly, enEVTs displayed gene expression associated with immune responses, particularly reminiscent of M2 macrophage characteristics. The active secretion of multiple cytokines and chemokines by enEVTs provided partial validation for their expression pattern of immune-regulatory genes. DISCUSSION Our study reveals the immune-regulatory properties of human enEVTs and provides new insights into their functions and mechanisms involved in spiral artery remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeling Ma
- School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, 312000, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shenglong Ye
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wenlong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Yang
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Xia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yongqing Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Yan-Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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You Y, Grasso E, Alvero A, Condon J, Dimova T, Hu A, Ding J, Alexandrova M, Manchorova D, Dimitrova V, Liao A, Mor G. Twist1-IRF9 Interaction Is Necessary for IFN-Stimulated Gene Anti-Zika Viral Infection. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:1899-1912. [PMID: 37144865 PMCID: PMC10615665 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
An efficient immune defense against pathogens requires sufficient basal sensing mechanisms that can deliver prompt responses. Type I IFNs are protective against acute viral infections and respond to viral and bacterial infections, but their efficacy depends on constitutive basal activity that promotes the expression of downstream genes known as IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Type I IFNs and ISGs are constitutively produced at low quantities and yet exert profound effects essential for numerous physiological processes beyond antiviral and antimicrobial defense, including immunomodulation, cell cycle regulation, cell survival, and cell differentiation. Although the canonical response pathway for type I IFNs has been extensively characterized, less is known regarding the transcriptional regulation of constitutive ISG expression. Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is a major risk for human pregnancy complications and fetal development and depends on an appropriate IFN-β response. However, it is poorly understood how ZIKV, despite an IFN-β response, causes miscarriages. We have uncovered a mechanism for this function specifically in the context of the early antiviral response. Our results demonstrate that IFN regulatory factor (IRF9) is critical in the early response to ZIKV infection in human trophoblast. This function is contingent on IRF9 binding to Twist1. In this signaling cascade, Twist1 was not only a required partner that promotes IRF9 binding to the IFN-stimulated response element but also an upstream regulator that controls basal levels of IRF9. The absence of Twist1 renders human trophoblast cells susceptible to ZIKV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan You
- C. S Mott Center for Human Development, Wayne State University, 275 E Hancock St, Detroit, MI, 48093
| | - Esteban Grasso
- C. S Mott Center for Human Development, Wayne State University, 275 E Hancock St, Detroit, MI, 48093
- School of Science, University of Buenos Aires, Intendente Guiraldes 2160, Buenos Aires, 1428
| | - Ayesha Alvero
- C. S Mott Center for Human Development, Wayne State University, 275 E Hancock St, Detroit, MI, 48093
| | - Jennifer Condon
- C. S Mott Center for Human Development, Wayne State University, 275 E Hancock St, Detroit, MI, 48093
| | - Tanya Dimova
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction “Acad. K. Bratanov”, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Anna Hu
- C. S Mott Center for Human Development, Wayne State University, 275 E Hancock St, Detroit, MI, 48093
| | - Jiahui Ding
- C. S Mott Center for Human Development, Wayne State University, 275 E Hancock St, Detroit, MI, 48093
| | - Marina Alexandrova
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction “Acad. K. Bratanov”, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Diana Manchorova
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction “Acad. K. Bratanov”, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Violeta Dimitrova
- Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction “Acad. K. Bratanov”, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Aihua Liao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, PR China
| | - Gil Mor
- C. S Mott Center for Human Development, Wayne State University, 275 E Hancock St, Detroit, MI, 48093
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Li J, Qi Y, Yang K, Zhu L, Cui X, Liu Z. Follistatin Is a Novel Chemoattractant for Migration and Invasion of Placental Trophoblasts of Mice. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233816. [PMID: 36497076 PMCID: PMC9741044 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Follistatin (FST) as a gonadal protein is central to the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Trophoblasts' migration and invasion into the endometrium are critical events in placental development. This study aimed to elucidate the role of FST in the migration and invasion of placental trophoblasts of mice. We found that FST increased the vitality and proliferation of primary cultured trophoblasts of embryonic day 8.5 (E8.5) mice and promoted wound healing of trophoblasts. Moreover, FST significantly induced migration of trophoblasts in a microfluidic device and increased the number of invasive trophoblasts by Matrigel-coated transwell invasion assay. Being treated with FST, the adhesion of trophoblasts was inhibited, but intracellular calcium flux of trophoblasts was increased. Western blotting results showed that FST had no significant effects on the level of p-Smad3 or the ratio of p-Smad3/Smad3 in trophoblasts. Interestingly, FST elevated the level of p-JNK; the ratio of p-JNK/JNK; and expression of migration-related proteins N-cadherin, vimentin, ezrin and MMP2 in trophoblasts. Additionally, the migration of trophoblasts and expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP2 in trophoblasts induced by FST were attenuated by JNK inhibitor AS601245. These findings suggest that the elevated FST in pregnancy may act as a chemokine to induce trophoblast migration and invasion through the enhanced JNK signaling to maintain trophoblast function and promote placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yan Qi
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Institute of Applied Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Linjing Zhu
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xueling Cui
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhonghui Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-431-8561-9476
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Stojanovska V, Arnold S, Bauer M, Voss H, Fest S, Zenclussen AC. Characterization of Three-Dimensional Trophoblast Spheroids: An Alternative Model to Study the Physiological Properties of the Placental Unit. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182884. [PMID: 36139458 PMCID: PMC9497053 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It was postulated that 3D cell culture models more accurately reflect the complex tissue physiology and morphology in comparison to 2D cell monolayers. Currently, there is a shortage of well-characterized and easily maintainable high-throughput experimental models of the human placenta. Here, we characterized three different 3D cultures (e.g., spheroids) derived from trophoblast cell lines and studied their functionality in comparison to primary fetal trophoblasts and placental tissue. The spheroid growth rates of JEG3, BeWo and HTR8/SVneo cell lines were similar among each other and were significantly larger in comparison to primary trophoblast spheroids. All spheroids exhibited migratory properties and shortest distances were registered for JEG3 spheroids. Even though all spheroids displayed invasive capabilities, only the invasive features of HTR8/SVneo spheroids resulted in specific branching. This was in agreement with the invasive properties of the spheroids obtained from primary trophoblasts. Human chorionic gonadotropin production was highest in JEG3 spheroids and only increased when stimulated with cAMP and forskolin in BeWo, but not HTR8/SVneo spheroids. The gene expression analysis confirmed that 3D trophoblast cell cultures and especially HTR8/SVneo spheroids showed considerable similarities with the gene expression profile of primary placental tissue. This study offers a broad characterization of 3D trophoblast spheroids that, in turn, can help in selecting the best model depending on the scientific question that needs to be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Stojanovska
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Susanne Arnold
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mario Bauer
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hermann Voss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Städtisches Klinikum Dessau, Academic Hospital of University Brandenburg, 06847 Dessau-Rosslau, Germany
| | - Stefan Fest
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, Städtisches Klinikum Dessau, Academic Hospital of University Brandenburg, 06847 Dessau-Rosslau, Germany
| | - Ana Claudia Zenclussen
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Saxonian Incubator for Translational Research, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Liu H, Wang LL, Xu QH, Wang J, Zhang YJ, Luo J, Liao AH. UHRF1 shapes both the trophoblast invasion and decidual macrophage differentiation in early pregnancy. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22247. [PMID: 35262949 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101647rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Trophoblasts play critical roles in establishment and maintenance of a normal pregnancy. Their dysfunction in early pregnancy is closely related to pregnancy-related diseases, including recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Epigenetic modifications dynamically change during pregnancy; however, the role of the epigenetic modifier UHRF1 in trophoblast regulation remains unknown. This is the first study to show that UHRF1 expression was localized in the cytoplasm of cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, and villi columns, and decreased in the villi of patients with RPL. The invasion and cell viability in a UHRF1 knockdown trophoblast cell line were significantly decreased. In addition, the mRNA expression profiles of Swan71 cells were partially altered by UHRF1 knockdown. The altered immune-related genes were screened out and the pro-inflammatory TH1-type chemokine/cytokines CXCL2 and IL-1β were identified as the most promising targets of UHRF1 in the trophoblasts, which were significantly increased in the UHRF1 knockdown Swan71 cells, villi, and serum from patients with RPL. The macrophages treated with the supernatants of UHRF1 knockdown Swan71 cells were polarized to the M1 phenotype and secreted high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which might be driven by the activated MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and mediated by the increased expression of CXCR2 and IL-1R1 (CXCL2 and IL-1β receptors, respectively). In addition, the supernatants of UHRF1 knockdown Swan71 cells showed stronger chemotaxis to macrophages than those from the controls. Our findings highlight the previously unknown roles of UHRF1 as one of the key regulators on the trophoblasts and their cross-talk with local immune cells, and demonstrate a potential approach for RPL intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Li-Ling Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Qian-Han Xu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Jing Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Jing Luo
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Ai-Hua Liao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
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Radnaa E, Urrabaz-Garza R, Elrod ND, de Castro Silva M, Pyles R, Han A, Menon R. Generation and characterization of human Fetal membrane and Decidual cell lines for reproductive biology experiments†. Biol Reprod 2021; 106:568-582. [PMID: 34935931 PMCID: PMC8934701 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human fetal membrane and maternal decidua parietalis form one of the major feto-maternal interfaces during pregnancy. Studies on this feto-maternal interface is limited as several investigators have limited access to the placenta, and experience difficulties to isolate and maintain primary cells. Many cell lines that are currently available do not have the characteristics or properties of their primary cells of origin. Therefore, we created, characterized the immortalized cells from primary isolates from fetal membrane-derived amnion epithelial cells, amnion and chorion mesenchymal cells, chorion trophoblast cells and maternal decidua parietalis cells. Primary cells were isolated from a healthy full-term, not in labor placenta. Primary cells were immortalized using either a HPV16E6E7 retroviral or a SV40T lentiviral system. The immortalized cells were characterized for the morphology, cell type-specific markers, and cell signalling pathway activation. Genomic stability of these cells was tested using RNA seq, karyotyping, and short tandem repeats DNA analysis. Immortalized cells show their characteristic morphology, and express respective epithelial, mesenchymal and decidual markers similar to that of primary cells. Gene expression of immortalized and primary cells were highly correlated (R = 0.798 to R = 0.974). Short tandem repeats DNA analysis showed in the late passage number (>P30) of cell lines matched 84-100% to the early passage number (<P10) of the cell lines revealing there were no genetic drift over the passages. Karyotyping also revealed no chromosomal anomalies. Creation of these cell lines can standardize experimental approaches, eliminate subject to subject variabilities, and benefit the reproductive biological studies on pregnancies by using these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enkhtuya Radnaa
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Perinatal Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Rheanna Urrabaz-Garza
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Perinatal Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Nathan D Elrod
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0144, USA
| | - Mariana de Castro Silva
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Perinatal Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Richard Pyles
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0144, USA
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3128, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Correspondence: Department of Basic Science and Translational Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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Rosenkrantz JL, Gaffney JE, Roberts VHJ, Carbone L, Chavez SL. Transcriptomic analysis of primate placentas and novel rhesus trophoblast cell lines informs investigations of human placentation. BMC Biol 2021; 19:127. [PMID: 34154587 PMCID: PMC8218487 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01056-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proper placentation, including trophoblast differentiation and function, is essential for the health and well-being of both the mother and baby throughout pregnancy. Placental abnormalities that occur during the early stages of development are thought to contribute to preeclampsia and other placenta-related pregnancy complications. However, relatively little is known about these stages in humans due to obvious ethical and technical limitations. Rhesus macaques are considered an ideal surrogate for studying human placentation, but the unclear translatability of known human placental markers and lack of accessible rhesus trophoblast cell lines can impede the use of this animal model. RESULTS Here, we performed a cross-species transcriptomic comparison of human and rhesus placenta and determined that while the majority of human placental marker genes (HPGs) were similarly expressed, 952 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the two species. Functional enrichment analysis of the 447 human-upregulated DEGs, including ADAM12, ERVW-1, KISS1, LGALS13, PAPPA2, PGF, and SIGLEC6, revealed over-representation of genes implicated in preeclampsia and other pregnancy disorders. Additionally, to enable in vitro functional studies of early placentation, we generated and thoroughly characterized two highly pure first trimester telomerase (TERT) immortalized rhesus trophoblast cell lines (iRP-D26 and iRP-D28A) that retained crucial features of isolated primary trophoblasts. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings help elucidate the molecular translatability between human and rhesus placenta and reveal notable expression differences in several HPGs and genes implicated in pregnancy complications that should be considered when using the rhesus animal model to study normal and pathological human placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimi L. Rosenkrantz
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239 USA
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 USA
| | - Jessica E. Gaffney
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 USA
| | - Victoria H. J. Roberts
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 USA
| | - Lucia Carbone
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239 USA
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR 97006 USA
- Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Shawn L. Chavez
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239 USA
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, Portland, OR 97239 USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, Portland, OR 97239 USA
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miR-219a suppresses human trophoblast cell invasion and proliferation by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:461-470. [PMID: 33405003 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-02022-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in regulating trophoblast cell invasion and proliferation, involved in a variety of pregnancy complications, such as spontaneous abortion and pre-eclampsia. Numerous studies have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) are participated in a series of molecular processes that regulate cell function, such as cell invasion, proliferation, and apoptosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), a receptor of VEGF, has been shown to be involved in trophoblast function. However, the relation between miRNA and VEGFR2 and their role in trophoblast function remain to be elucidated. METHODS The effect of miR-219a on the trophoblast function has been explored using luciferase reporter, transwell, qRT-PCR, western blot, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), ELISA, immunofluorescent staining, and tube formation assays. RESULTS In the current study, we observed that through targeted inhibition of VEGFR2 expression by miR-219a, the function of VEGFR2 as well as the downstream PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway were suppressed, leading to suppression of trophoblastic proliferation and invasion. Moreover, upregulation of VEGFR2 restored the miR-219a-inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and tube formation. CONCLUSIONS These results revealed that miR-219a played crucial roles in negatively regulating trophoblastic proliferation and invasion by suppression of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway by targeting VEGFR2, therefore serving as a potential treatment method for the complications of pregnancy caused by trophoblastic dysregulation.
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