Growth differentiation factor myostatin regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes and enhances invasion by increasing serine protease inhibitors E1 and E2 in human trophoblast cells

ALKBH1 knockdown promotes the growth, migration and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells through regulating the m5C modification PSMD14

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy disease characterized by insufficient invasion and growth of trophoblast cells. adeno-associated virus encoding alkB homolog 1 (ALKBH1) is a demethylase in 5-methylcytosine (m5C) methylation modification. This study was performed to explore the role of ALKBH1 in hypoxia treated human extravasated trophoblast cells. Hypoxia treated human extravasated trophoblast cells (HTR-8/SVneo) was used to simulate the occurrence of PE in vitro. The cells phenotype was detected by CCK-8 and Transwell assays. The m5c levels and m5C levels of PSMD14 were analyzed by m5C dot blot and M5C Me-RIP assays. Then, the interaction between ALKBH1 and PSMD14 were confirmed by RIP and dual-luciferase reporter assays. ALKBH1 was up-regulated in hypoxia treated HTR-8/SVneo cells. Additionally, ALKBH1 knockdown increased the m5C contents, cell viability, migration and invasion abilities of hypoxia treated HTR-8/SVneo cells. Furthermore, ALKBH1 knockdown increased the m5C and mRNA levels, and mRNA stability of PSMD14. RIP and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that ALKBH1 interacted with PSMD14. Besides, PSMD14 knockdown reversed the effects of ALKBH1 silencing on cell viability, migration and invasion abilities of hypoxia treated HTR-8/SVneo cells. ALKBH1 mediated m5C levels were decreased in the hypoxia treated HTR-8/SVneo cells, which further decreased the cell viability, migration and invasion abilities through targeting the PSMD14 levels.

Growth differentiation factor-11 upregulates matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression by inducing Snail in human extravillous trophoblast cells

The human extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell invasion is an important process during placentation. Although the placenta is normal tissue, the EVT cells exhibit some features common to cancer cells, including high migratory and invasive properties. Snail and Slug are transcription factors that mediate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a crucial event for cancer cell migration and invasion. It has been shown that GDF-11-induced matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) expression is required for EVT cell invasion. Whether GDF-11 can regulate Snail and Slug expression in human EVT cells remains unknown. If it does, the involvement of Snail and Slug in GDF-11-induced MMP2 expression and EVT cell invasion must also be defined. In the present study, using the immortalized human EVT cell line, HTR-8/SVneo, and primary cultures of human EVT cells as experimental models, our results show that GDF-11 upregulates Snail and Slug expression. ALK4 and ALK5 mediate the stimulatory effects of GDF-11 on Snail and Slug expression. In addition, we demonstrate that SMAD2 and SMAD3 are required for the GDF-11-upregulated Snail expression, while only SMAD3 is involved in GDF-11-induced Slug expression. Moreover, our results reveal that Snail mediates GDF-11-induced MMP2 expression and cell invasion but not Slug. This study increases our understanding of the biological function of GDF-11 in human EVT cells and provides a novel mechanism for regulating MMP2 and EVT cell invasion.

Serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade E, member 2 in physiology and pathology: recent advancements

Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) are the most numerous and widespread multifunctional protease inhibitor superfamily and are expressed by all eukaryotes. Serpin E2 (serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade E, member 2), a member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily is a potent endogenous thrombin inhibitor, mainly found in the extracellular matrix and platelets, and expressed in numerous organs and secreted by many cell types. The multiple functions of serpin E2 are mainly mediated through regulating urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA, also known as PLAU), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA, also known as PLAT), and matrix metalloproteinase activity, and include hemostasis, cell adhesion, and promotion of tumor metastasis. The importance serpin E2 is clear from its involvement in numerous physiological and pathological processes. In this review, we summarize the structural characteristics of the Serpin E2 gene and protein, as well as its roles physiology and disease.