Maternal and cord blood cyclophilin A in severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancy and its correlation with vitamin D and zinc

CyPA interacts with SERPINH1 to promote extracellular matrix production and inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition of trophoblast via enhancing TGF-β/Smad3 pathway in preeclampsia

We previously reported that cyclophilin A (CyPA) production is upregulated in preeclampsia (PE). Moreover, CyPA is known to induce PE-like features in pregnant mice and impair trophoblast invasiveness. In this study, we further illustrated the role of CyPA in PE. RNA-seq analysis, RT-qPCR, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and western blotting of mouse placentae revealed that CyPA increased the levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as collagen I and fibronectin, and activated the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway. Additionally, CyPA inhibited the expression of genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (e.g., E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin) in mouse placentae. We then constructed stable overexpressing and knock-down CyPA cell models (using HTR8/SVneo cells) to clarify the molecular mechanism. We found that CyPA regulated the levels of ECM-related proteins and the EMT process through the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway. We also identified SERPINH1 as a putative CyPA-binding protein, using liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS. SERPINH1 was found to be upregulated in the placentae of PE. Silencing SERPINH1 expression reversed the upregulation of ECM proteins and inhibition of the EMT process induced by the overexpression of CyPA. These findings revealed the functions of CyPA in the impaired invasiveness of trophoblasts in PE and indicated that CyPA and SERPINH1 may represent promising targets for the treatment of PE.

Placental Cyclophilin A Expression in Pregnancies Complicated with Hypertension

Introduction: Cyclophilin A was reported to be increased in the serum of mothers with preeclampsia, and is implicated in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to determine the expression of cyclophilin A in the placenta of mothers with and without hypertension, and to correlate its expression with maternal complications and adverse perinatal outcomes. Materials and Methods: This study consisted of a total of 70 cases (35 cases of mothers with hypertension, and 35 normotensive mothers as a control). Cyclophilin A immunohistochemistry was performed on a paraffin-embedded tissue section of placenta submitted at full thickness in order to evaluate the expression in fetal endothelial cells, cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, maternal endothelial cells and decidual cells. The cyclophilin A expression was scored as weak, moderate or strong intensity. Results: The hypertensive group was more likely to have preterm deliveries (p < 0.0001), caesarean sections (p < 0.0001), and infants admitted to the intensive care unit (p < 0.001). Fifty-one percent of the fetal endothelial cells and cytotrophoblasts expressed cyclophilin A in the hypertensive group, compared to only 28.6% in the normotensive group. However, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.086). Conclusion: We found no significant difference in placental cyclophilin A expression between hypertensive and normotensive mothers. There was also no difference in expression in mothers with and without maternal complications and adverse perinatal outcomes.

Cyclophilin A inhibits trophoblast migration and invasion in vitro and vivo through p38/ERK/JNK pathways and causes features of preeclampsia in mice

AIMS

Numerous studies suggest that excessive maternal inflammation and defective extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion could contribute to the development of preeclampsia (PE), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Some evidence suggests that CyPA is elevated in PE. This research aims to investigate the effect of recombinant human CyPA on trophoblast migration and invasion both in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We detected the expression and localization of CyPA in human placenta and explored the effects of CyPA on cell migration and invasion on HTR8/SVneo cell. Additionally, the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 and molecules in the p38/ERK/JNK signaling pathway were detected. We established a mouse model by injecting pregnant mice with recombinant human CyPA and measured blood pressure, albumin/creatinine ratio, fetal and placenta weight of mice. Moreover, we examined the placental histology and MMP-2/9 and p38/ERK/JNK expression.

KEY FINDINGS

Our results showed that CyPA inhibited the migration and invasion of HTR8/SVneo cells in a dose-dependent manner, decreasing the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 and molecules in the p38/ERK/JNK signaling pathway. Silencing CyPA could reverse the above effects. Moreover, CyPA could induce PE-like features in pregnant mice and disrupt the structure of the mouse placenta by reducing the junctional zone area. CyPA attenuated the trophoblast invasiveness in mice placenta by downregulating MMP-2/9 expression and p38/ERK/JNK pathway activity.

SIGNIFICANCE

We proposed that CyPA could inhibit trophoblast migration and invasion both in vitro and in vivo, which was involved in PE development.

Predictive value of early second trimester maternal serum cyclophilin A concentrations in women complicated with preeclampsia: a preliminary case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate cyclophilin A in early second trimester of pregnancy before the onset of preeclampsia.

METHODS

In this prospective case-control study, 51 pregnant women whose serum were collected and stored and who developed preeclampsia in later follow-up and 41 pregnant women as control group were included.

RESULTS

Maternal serum cyclophilin A levels in the study group who developed preeclampsia in later follow-up were significantly higher than those of normal healthy pregnant women.

CONCLUSION

Cyclophilin A may be a valuable predictor for pregnant women who subsequently develop preeclampsia in their pregnancies.