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Wang Y, Li Y, Nie G. HtrA4 is well conserved only in higher primates and functionally important for EVT differentiation. Placenta 2024; 152:53-64. [PMID: 38805949 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.05.132] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The placenta differs greatly among species, and deep extra-villous trophoblast (EVT) invasion is a unique feature of placentation of higher primates including humans. We reported serine protease HtrA4 being found predominantly in human placentas with aberrant expression linked to preeclampsia. However, it remains unclear where HtrA4 is produced in the placenta, how it is expressed in other species, and whether it is essential for human placentation. METHODS We first compared HtrA4 protein sequences of over 100 species, then scrutinized the key characteristics of HtrA4 in the human, rhesus macaque and mouse, and determined cellular localization in the placenta. We next investigated functional significance of HtrA4 in EVT differentiation using human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs). RESULTS Across broader species HtrA4 is well conserved only in higher primates. In humans, only the placenta expressed HtrA4, localising to trophoblasts of villous as well as extra-villous lineages. Rhesus macaques produced HtrA4 but again only in placentas, whereas mice showed no abundant HtrA4 expression anywhere including the placenta, yet it was an active protease if produced. The functional importance of HtrA4 in human EVT was demonstrated using TSCs, which expressed low levels of HtrA4 but significantly up-regulated it during EVT differentiation, and knockdown of HtrA4 severely inhibited the differentiation process. DISCUSSION HtrA4 is expressed in placentas of humans and macaques but not mice; it is critical for human EVT differentiation. Together with previous reports showing HtrA4 is also indispensable for syncytialization, this study further revealed HtrA4 as a functionally important protease for human placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wang
- Implantation and Pregnancy Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Ying Li
- Implantation and Pregnancy Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Guiying Nie
- Implantation and Pregnancy Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia.
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Thach B, Wang Y, Heng S, Nie G. HtrA4 is required for human trophoblast stem cell differentiation into syncytiotrophoblast. Placenta 2024; 147:68-77. [PMID: 38325051 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.01.018] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The syncytiotrophoblast (STB) of the human placenta facilitates vital maternal-fetal communication and is maintained by fusion (syncytialization) of cytotrophoblasts. Serine protease HtrA4 (high temperature requirement factor A4) is highly expressed only in the human placenta and was previously reported to be important for BeWo fusion. This study investigated whether HtrA4 is critical for differentiation of human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) into STB. METHODS Primary TSCs were isolated from first trimester placentas (n = 5) and validated by immunofluorescence (IF) for CD49f, CK7 and vimentin. TSCs were then differentiated into STB and the success of syncytialization was confirmed by RT-PCR, IF and ELISA of known markers. TSCs were next stably transfected with a HtrA4-targetting CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid, and cells with severe HtrA4 knockdown (HtrA4-KD) were analyzed to investigate the impact on STB differentiation. RESULTS Primary TSCs were confirmed to be of high purity by staining positively for CD49f and CK7 but negatively for vimentin. These TSCs readily syncytialized when stimulated for STB differentiation, significantly increasing β-hCG and syncytin-1, substantially decreasing E-cadherin, and markedly losing cell borders. While TSCs produced very low levels of HtrA4, upon stimulation for STB differentiation the cells drastically upregulated HtrA4 expression; secretion of HtrA4 protein also increased sharply, correlating positively and significantly with that of β-hCG. The HtrA4-KD TSCs, however, failed to show this surge of HtrA4 production upon stimulation, and ultimately remained primarily mononucleated with no significant STB differentiation. DISCUSSION This study demonstrates that HtrA4 plays a critical role in TSC differentiation into syncytiotrophoblast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bothidah Thach
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Yao Wang
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Sophea Heng
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Guiying Nie
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia.
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Pei CZ, Seok J, Kim GJ, Choi BC, Baek KH. Deficiency of HtrA4 in BeWo cells downregulates angiogenesis through IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115288. [PMID: 37579694 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In a previous study, we investigated the effects of high-temperature requirement factor A4 (HtrA4) deficiency on trophoblasts using the BeWo KO cell line. However, the effects of this deficiency on angiogenesis remain unclear. To explore the role of HtrA4 in angiogenesis, HUVECs were co-cultured with wild-type BeWo cells (BeWo WT), BeWo KO, and HtrA4-rescued BeWo KO (BeWo KO-HtrA4 rescue) cells. Dil staining and dextran analysis revealed that HUVECs co-cultured with BeWo KO formed tubes, but they were often disjointed compared to those co-cultured with BeWo WT, BeWo KO-HtrA4 rescue, and HUVECs controls. RT-PCR, ELISA, and western blot analysis were performed to assess angiogenesis-related factors at the mRNA and protein levels. HtrA4 deficiency inhibited IL-6 expression in trophoblasts, and the reduced secretion of IL-6 decreases VEGFA expression in HUVECs by modulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to prevent tube formation. Moreover, rescuing HtrA4 expression restored the HUVEC tube formation ability. Interestingly, IL-6 expression was lower in supernatants with only cultured HUVECs than in co-cultured HUVECs with BeWo WT cells, but the HUVEC tube formation ability was similar. These findings suggest that the promoting angiogenesis-related signaling pathway differs between only HUVECs and co-cultured HUVECs, and that the deficiency of HtrA4 weakens the activation of the IL-6/JAK/STAT3/VEGFA signaling pathway, reducing the ability of tube formation in HUVECs. HtrA4 deficiency in trophoblasts hinders angiogenesis and may contribute to placental dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Zhu Pei
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Gyeonggi-Do 13488, the Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Seok
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Gyeonggi-Do 13488, the Republic of Korea
| | - Gi Jin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Gyeonggi-Do 13488, the Republic of Korea
| | - Bum-Chae Choi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CL Women's Hospital, Gwangju 61917, the Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Hyun Baek
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Gyeonggi-Do 13488, the Republic of Korea; Department of Bioconvergence, CHA University, Gyeonggi-Do 13488, the Republic of Korea.
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Pei CZ, Choi BC, Park JH, Park HY, Paek J, Lee KJ, Yun BS, Kim YJ, Baek KH. Cellular Functions of High-Temperature Requirement Factor A4 in Placenta. Cells 2023; 12:1459. [PMID: 37296580 PMCID: PMC10252923 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of High-temperature requirement factor A4 (HtrA4) mRNA is significantly lower in the chorionic villi of patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) than in the control group. We conducted an investigation into the cellular functions of HtrA4 using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and shRNA-HtrA4 to create knockout BeWo cells and HtrA4 knockdown JEG3 cells. Our results indicated that the knockout BeWo cells exhibited reduced capacity for invasion and fusion, but increased levels of proliferation and migration, with a significantly shortened cell cycle compared to wild-type cells. Wild-type BeWo cells highly expressed cell invasion- and fusion-related factors, while knockout BeWo cells highly expressed migration-, proliferation-, and cell cycle-related factors. The shRNA-HtrA4 JEG3 cells showed a decreased capacity for invasion, but an increased capacity for migration, accompanied by a decrease in the expression of cell invasion-related factors and an increase in migration-related factors. Moreover, our ELISA results revealed that the serum HtrA4 level was lower in patients with RPL than in the controls. These findings suggest that HtrA4 depletion may be associated with placental dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Zhu Pei
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cell and Gene Therapy Research Institute, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea; (C.-Z.P.); (J.-H.P.)
| | - Bum-Chae Choi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CL Women’s Hospital, Gwangju 61917, Republic of Korea; (B.-C.C.); (H.Y.P.)
| | - Jun-Hyeok Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cell and Gene Therapy Research Institute, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea; (C.-Z.P.); (J.-H.P.)
| | - Hyo Young Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CL Women’s Hospital, Gwangju 61917, Republic of Korea; (B.-C.C.); (H.Y.P.)
| | - Jinyoung Paek
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gangnam CHA Hospital, College of Medicine, Seoul 06135, Republic of Korea;
| | - Kyung-Ju Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea;
| | - Bo-Seong Yun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ilsan CHA Hospital, College of Medicine, Seoul 06135, Republic of Korea;
| | - Young Ju Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ewha Woman’s University College of Medicine, Seoul 07985, Republic of Korea;
| | - Kwang-Hyun Baek
- Department of Biomedical Science, Cell and Gene Therapy Research Institute, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea; (C.-Z.P.); (J.-H.P.)
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Overview of Human HtrA Family Proteases and Their Distinctive Physiological Roles and Unique Involvement in Diseases, Especially Cancer and Pregnancy Complications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910756. [PMID: 34639128 PMCID: PMC8509474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian high temperature requirement A (HtrA) proteins are a family of evolutionarily conserved serine proteases, consisting of four homologs (HtrA1-4) that are involved in many cellular processes such as growth, unfolded protein stress response and programmed cell death. In humans, while HtrA1, 2 and 3 are widely expressed in multiple tissues with variable levels, HtrA4 expression is largely restricted to the placenta with the protein released into maternal circulation during pregnancy. This limited expression sets HtrA4 apart from the rest of the family. All four HtrAs are active proteases, and their specific cellular and physiological roles depend on tissue type. The dysregulation of HtrAs has been implicated in many human diseases such as cancer, arthritis, neurogenerative ailments and reproductive disorders. This review first discusses HtrAs broadly and then focuses on the current knowledge of key molecular characteristics of individual human HtrAs, their similarities and differences and their reported physiological functions. HtrAs in other species are also briefly mentioned in the context of understanding the human HtrAs. It then reviews the distinctive involvement of each HtrA in various human diseases, especially cancer and pregnancy complications. It is noteworthy that HtrA4 expression has not yet been reported in any primary tumour samples, suggesting an unlikely involvement of this HtrA in cancer. Collectively, we accentuate that a better understanding of tissue-specific regulation and distinctive physiological and pathological roles of each HtrA will improve our knowledge of many processes that are critical for human health.
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HtrA4 is up-regulated during trophoblast syncytialization and BeWo cells fail to syncytialize without HtrA4. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14363. [PMID: 34257367 PMCID: PMC8277827 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93520-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The outer layer of the human placenta comprises syncytiotrophoblast, which forms through fusion of cytotrophoblasts (syncytialization), and plays a critical role in maternal-fetal communication including nutrient/oxygen transportation and hormone secretion. Impairment in syncytialization inevitably affects pregnancy outcomes. High temperature requirement factor A 4 (HtrA4) is a placental-specific protease, expressed by various trophoblasts including syncytiotrophoblast, and significantly elevated in preeclampsia at disease presentation. However, it is unknown whether HtrA4 is important for syncytialization. Here we first examined HtrA4 expression in primary human cytotrophoblasts during syncytialization which occurs spontaneously in culture, and in BeWo cells which syncytialize upon forskolin stimulation. The success of syncytialization in each model was confirmed by significant up-regulation/secretion of β-hCG, and the concurrent down-regulation of E-cadherin. In both models, HtrA4 mRNA and protein increased concomitantly with syncytialization. Furthermore, the secreted levels of β-hCG and HtrA4 correlated significantly and positively in both models. We next knocked out HtrA4 in BeWo by CRISPR/Cas9. Upon forskolin treatment, control BeWo profoundly up-regulated β-hCG and syncytin-1, down-regulated E-cadherin, and at the same time increased the formation of multinucleated cells, whereas BeWo cells without HtrA4 did not alter any of these parameters. Our data thus suggest that HtrA4 plays an essential role in syncytialization.
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Fantone S, Giannubilo SR, Marzioni D, Tossetta G. HTRA family proteins in pregnancy outcome. Tissue Cell 2021; 72:101549. [PMID: 33915357 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2021.101549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
HTRA (High temperature requirement protease A) family proteins includes HTRA1 (L56 or PRSS11), HTRA2/Omi, HTRA3 (PRSP) and HTRA4. These are oligomeric serine proteases highly conserved from bacteria to humans and are involved in a variety of biological functions including the maintenance of normal cell physiology and pathogenicity such as cell growth, apoptosis, neurodegenerative disorders, inflammation diseases and cancer. These proteins are normally expressed in placental villi during all pregnancy but their expression is found to be altered in pathological pregnancies suggesting a possible role of those proteins in the development of human placenta. Moreover, some HTRA family proteins have also been found in maternal blood and were impaired in pathological pregnancy suggesting a possible role of some of these proteins as early markers of pregnancy outcome. The aim of this review is to summarize the data currently available on the role of HTRA family proteins in pregnancy focalizing their role in pregnancy complications such as Preeclampsia (PE), IntraUterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) and Spontaneus PreTerm Birth (SPTB).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Fantone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Stefano R Giannubilo
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Salesi Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Ancona, Italy
| | - Daniela Marzioni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tossetta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy; Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Salesi Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Ancona, Italy.
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Zhao H, Gong L, Wu S, Jing T, Xiao X, Cui Y, Xu H, Lu H, Tang Y, Zhang J, Zhou Q, Ma D, Li X. The Inhibition of Protein Kinase C β Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia by Activating Autophagy. EBioMedicine 2020; 56:102813. [PMID: 32544612 PMCID: PMC7298655 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preeclampsia is a devastating hypertensive disorder of pregnancy with unknown mechanism. Recent studies have considered abnormal autophagy as a new cellular mechanism for this disorder, while little is known about how autophagy is specifically involved and what factors are implicated. Here, we report a previously unrecognized preeclampsia-associated autophagic regulator, PKCβ, that is involved in placental angiogenesis. Methods PKCβ levels were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence and by the analysis of public data. The autophagy-regulating role of PKCβ inhibition in preeclampsia pathogenesis was studied in a mouse model, and in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human choriocarcinoma cells (JEG-3). Findings PKCβ was significantly downregulated in human preeclamptic placentas. In a mouse model, the selective inhibition of PKCβ by Ruboxistaurin was sufficient to induce preeclampsia-like symptoms, accompanied by excessive autophagic flux and a disruption in the balance of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors in mouse placentas. In contrast, autophagic inhibition by 3-methyladenine partially normalized hypertension, proteinuria and placental angiogenic imbalance in PKCβ-inhibited mice. Our in vitro experiments demonstrated that PKCβ inhibition activated autophagy, thus blocking VEGFA-induced HUVEC tube formation and resulting in the significant upregulation of sFLT1 and downregulation of VEGFA in JEG-3 cells. Interpretation These data support a novel model in which autophagic activation due to PKCβ inhibition leads to the impairment of angiogenesis and eventually results in preeclampsia. Funding Shanghai Key Program of Clinical Science and Technology Innovation, National Natural Science Foundation of China and Shanghai Medical Center of Key Programs for Female Reproductive Diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanqiang Zhao
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Lili Gong
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Suwen Wu
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianrui Jing
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xirong Xiao
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yutong Cui
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Huangfang Xu
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiqing Lu
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Tang
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institutes of Biochemical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiongjie Zhou
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Shanghai, China.
| | - Duan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institutes of Biochemical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaotian Li
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Shanghai, China; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects, Shanghai, China; Institutes of Biochemical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Wang Y, Lim R, Nie G. Elevated circulating HtrA4 in preeclampsia may alter endothelial expression of senescence genes. Placenta 2019; 90:71-81. [PMID: 32056555 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious complication of human pregnancy. Women who have had PE, especially early-onset PE (EPE), have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. However, how PE is linked to CVD is not well understood. We previously reported that HtrA4, a placenta-specific protease, is significantly elevated in EPE, and inhibits the proliferation of endothelial cells as well as endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). This can potentially impair endothelial repair and regeneration, leading to endothelial aging, which is a major risk factor of CVD. In this study, we examined whether HtrA4 can alter endothelial expression of senescence genes. METHODS Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and primary EPCs isolated from cord blood of healthy pregnancies were used as in vitro models. Firstly, HUVECs were treated with HtrA4 at the highest levels detected in EPE for 48h and screened with a senescence PCR array. The results were then validated by RT-PCR and ELISA in HUVECs and EPCs treated with HtrA4 for 24 and 48h. RESULTS We observed that HtrA4 significantly up-regulated IGFBP3, SERPINE1 and SERPINB2, which all promote senescence. IGFBP-3 protein was also significantly elevated in the media of HtrA4-treated HUVECs. Conversely, a number of genes including CDKN2C, PCNA, CALR, CHEK2 and NOX4 were downregulated by HtrA4. Many of these genes also showed a similar trend of change in EPCs following HtrA4 treatment. DISCUSSION Elevation of placenta-derived HtrA4 in PE alters the expression of endothelial genes to promote cellular senescence and may contribute to premature endothelial aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wang
- Implantation and Placental Development Laboratory, Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Rebecca Lim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Guiying Nie
- Implantation and Placental Development Laboratory, Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
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Wenta T, Rychlowski M, Jarzab M, Lipinska B. HtrA4 Protease Promotes Chemotherapeutic-Dependent Cancer Cell Death. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101112. [PMID: 31546993 PMCID: PMC6829446 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The HtrA4 human protease is crucial in placentation and embryo implantation, and its altered level is connected with pre-eclampsia. The meta-analyses of microarray assays revealed that the HtrA4 level is changed in brain tumors and breast and prostate cancers, which suggests its involvement in oncogenesis. In spite of the HtrA4 involvement in important physiological and pathological processes, its function in the cell is poorly understood. In this work, using lung and breast cancer cell lines, we showed for the first time that the full-length HtrA4 and its N-terminally deleted variant promote cancer cell death induced by chemotherapeutic drugs by enhancing apoptosis. The effect is dependent on the HtrA4 proteolytic activity, and the N-terminally deleted HtrA4 is more efficient in the cell death stimulation. Furthermore, HtrA4 increases the effect of chemotherapeutics on the clonogenic potential and motility of cancer cells, and it increases cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. HtrA4 may modulate cell death by degrading the anti-apoptotic XIAP protein and also by proteolysis of the executioner pro-caspase 7 and cytoskeletal proteins, actin and β-tubulin. These findings provide new insight into the mechanism of the HtrA4 protease function in cell death and oncogenesis, and they may help to develop new anti-cancer therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Wenta
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Michal Rychlowski
- Laboratory of Virus Molecular Biology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Miroslaw Jarzab
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Barbara Lipinska
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
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Li P, Liu L, Wang T, Chen H. SUMO2/3 participates in regulating the protective effect of propofol on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2019.1693281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Li
- Department of Anesthesia, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, PR China
| | - Libing Liu
- Department of Anesthesia, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, PR China
| | - Tianyu Wang
- Department of Anesthesia, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, PR China
| | - Huayong Chen
- Department of Anesthesia, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, PR China
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