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Vasconcelos S, Moustakas I, Branco MR, Guimarães S, Caniçais C, van der Helm T, Ramalho C, Marques CJ, de Sousa Lopes SMC, Dória S. Syncytiotrophoblast Markers Are Downregulated in Placentas from Idiopathic Stillbirths. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5180. [PMID: 38791219 PMCID: PMC11121380 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The trophoblast cells are responsible for the transfer of nutrients between the mother and the foetus and play a major role in placental endocrine function by producing and releasing large amounts of hormones and growth factors. Syncytiotrophoblast cells (STB), formed by the fusion of mononuclear cytotrophoblasts (CTB), constitute the interface between the foetus and the mother and are essential for all of these functions. We performed transcriptome analysis of human placental samples from two control groups-live births (LB), and stillbirths (SB) with a clinically recognised cause-and from our study group, idiopathic stillbirths (iSB). We identified 1172 DEGs in iSB, when comparing with the LB group; however, when we compared iSB with the SB group, only 15 and 12 genes were down- and upregulated in iSB, respectively. An assessment of these DEGs identified 15 commonly downregulated genes in iSB. Among these, several syncytiotrophoblast markers, like genes from the PSG and CSH families, as well as ALPP, KISS1, and CRH, were significantly downregulated in placental samples from iSB. The transcriptome analysis revealed underlying differences at a molecular level involving the syncytiotrophoblast. This suggests that defects in the syncytial layer may underlie unexplained stillbirths, therefore offering insights to improve clinical obstetrics practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Vasconcelos
- Genetics Service, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal (C.J.M.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ioannis Moustakas
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands (T.v.d.H.); (S.M.C.d.S.L.)
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Miguel R. Branco
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Susana Guimarães
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Caniçais
- Genetics Service, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal (C.J.M.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Talia van der Helm
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands (T.v.d.H.); (S.M.C.d.S.L.)
| | - Carla Ramalho
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Joana Marques
- Genetics Service, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal (C.J.M.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands (T.v.d.H.); (S.M.C.d.S.L.)
| | - Sofia Dória
- Genetics Service, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal (C.J.M.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
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Kaminker JD, Butt AG, Killeen H, Timoshenko AV. Insights into cAMP-dependent molecular mechanisms regulating expression and function of LGALS16 gene in choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cells. Cell Biol Int 2024; 48:378-385. [PMID: 38212900 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The human choriocarcinoma cell line JEG-3 offers a valuable model to study galectin-16 gene (LGALS16) expression and functions in the context of placental cell differentiation and cancer cell biology. Recent evidence indicates that cAMP-mediated signaling pathways might be responsible for the upregulation of LGALS16; however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here, we employed biochemical inhibitors of the cAMP cascade and CRISPR/Cas9 engineered cells to assess regulatory patterns and associations between cAMP-induced trophoblast differentiation and LGALS16 expression in JEG-3 cells. The expression of LGALS16 was significantly upregulated in parallel with human chorionic gonadotropin beta (CGB), a biomarker of syncytiotrophoblast differentiation, in response to 8-Br-cAMP. Inhibition of p38 MAPK and EPAC significantly altered LGALS16 expression during differentiation, while PKA inhibition failed to change LGALS16 and CGB3/5 expression in our cell model. The CRISPR/Cas9 LGALS16 knockout cell pool expressed a significantly lower amount of CGB3/5, a reduced level of CGB protein, and an unaltered cell growth rate in response to 8-Br-cAMP in comparison with wild-type JEG-3 cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that LGALS16 is required for the trophoblast-like differentiation of JEG-3 cells, and its expression is mediated through p38 MAPK and EPAC signaling pathway branches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Kaminker
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ahmad G Butt
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hailey Killeen
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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Rogers LM, Huggins M, Doster RS, Omage JI, Gaddy JA, Eastman A, Aronoff DM. Impact of Metabolic Stress on BeWo Syncytiotrophoblast Function. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300410. [PMID: 37800606 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300410] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
During placental formation, cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) fuse into multinucleate, microvilli-coated syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs), which contact maternal blood, mediating nutrient, metabolite, and gas exchange between mother and fetus, and providing a barrier against fetal infection. Trophoblasts remodel the surrounding extracellular matrix through the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Maternal obesity and diabetes mellitus can negatively impact fetal development and may impair trophoblast function. We sought to model the impact of metabolic stress on STB function by examining MMP and hormone secretion. The BeWo CTB cell line was syncytialized to STB-like cells with forskolin. Cell morphology was examined by electron microscopy and immunofluorescence; phenotype was further assessed by ELISA and RT-qPCR. STBs were exposed to a metabolic stress cocktail (MetaC: 30 mM glucose, 10 nM insulin, and 0.1 mM palmitic acid). BeWo syncytialization was demonstrated by increased secretion of HCGβ and progesterone, elevated syncytin gene expression (ERVW-1 and ERVFRD-1), loss of tight junctions, and increased surface microvilli. MetaC strongly suppressed syncytin gene expression (ERVW-1 and ERVFRD-1), suppressed HCGβ and progesterone secretion, and altered both MMP-9 and MMP-2 production. Metabolic stress modeling diabetes and obesity altered BeWo STB hormone and MMP production in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Rogers
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 545 Barnhill Dr., EH 305, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Marissa Huggins
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Ryan S Doster
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Joel I Omage
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Jennifer A Gaddy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Alison Eastman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - David M Aronoff
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 545 Barnhill Dr., EH 305, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
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Yin A, Guan X, Zhang JV, Niu J. Focusing on the role of secretin/adhesion (Class B) G protein-coupled receptors in placental development and preeclampsia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:959239. [PMID: 36187484 PMCID: PMC9515905 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.959239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia, a clinical syndrome mainly characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, with a worldwide incidence of 3–8% and high maternal mortality, is a risk factor highly associated with maternal and offspring cardiovascular disease. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of preeclampsia are complicated and have not been fully elucidated. Obesity, immunological diseases and endocrine metabolic diseases are high-risk factors for the development of preeclampsia. Effective methods to treat preeclampsia are lacking, and termination of pregnancy remains the only curative treatment for preeclampsia. The pathogenesis of preeclampsia include poor placentation, uteroplacental malperfusion, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, dysregulated immune tolerance, vascular inflammation and endothelial cell dysfunction. The notion that placenta is the core factor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia is still prevailing. G protein-coupled receptors, the largest family of membrane proteins in eukaryotes and the largest drug target family to date, exhibit diversity in structure and function. Among them, the secretin/adhesion (Class B) G protein-coupled receptors are essential drug targets for human diseases, such as endocrine diseases and cardiometabolic diseases. Given the great value of the secretin/adhesion (Class B) G protein-coupled receptors in the regulation of cardiovascular system function and the drug target exploration, we summarize the role of these receptors in placental development and preeclampsia, and outlined the relevant pathological mechanisms, thereby providing potential drug targets for preeclampsia treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiqi Yin
- Department of Obstetrics, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaonian Guan
- Department of Obstetrics, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian V. Zhang
- Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolic Health, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Jian V. Zhang, ; Jianmin Niu,
| | - Jianmin Niu
- Department of Obstetrics, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Jian V. Zhang, ; Jianmin Niu,
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Peng L, Ye Y, Mullikin H, Lin L, Kuhn C, Rahmeh M, Mahner S, Jeschke U, von Schönfeldt V. Expression of trophoblast derived prostaglandin E2 receptor 2 (EP2) is reduced in patients with recurrent miscarriage and EP2 regulates cell proliferation and expression of inflammatory cytokines. J Reprod Immunol 2020; 142:103210. [PMID: 33011635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUD Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), an inflammatory mediator, modulates cytokines, regulates immune responses in reproductive processes and stimulates inflammatory reactions via the prostaglandin E2 receptor 2 (EP2). However, the regulatory effects of EP2 signaling on trophoblasts and its role in unexplained recurrent miscarriage (uRM) remains unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 19 placentas from patients with a history of more than two consecutive pregnancy losses of unknown cause (uRM group) and placentas of 19 healthy patients following a legal termination of their pregnancy were used for PGE2 receptor (EP1, EP2 and EP4) expression analyses via immunohistochemistry. Double immunofluorescence was also used to identify EP2 expressing cells in the decidua. Finally, HTR-8/SVneo cells were used to clarify the role of EP2 in in vitro experiments. RESULTS The expression of EP2 and EP4 was found to be reduced in the syncytiotrophoblast and decidua of uRM patients. A selective EP2 receptor antagonist (PF-04,418,948) reduced the proliferation and secretion of ß-hCG, inhibited interleukin -6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) and up-regulated the production of the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) in HTR-8/SVneo cells in vitro. CONCLUSION PGE2-EP2 signaling pathway may represent a novel therapy option for uRM. The involvement of EP2 in uRM acts perhaps via inflammatory cytokines and indicates that the PGE2-EP2 signaling pathway might represent an unexplored etiology for uRM.
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MESH Headings
- Abortion, Habitual/immunology
- Adult
- Cell Line
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Decidua/immunology
- Decidua/metabolism
- Dinoprostone/metabolism
- Down-Regulation/immunology
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/immunology
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Middle Aged
- Pregnancy
- Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype/analysis
- Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype/genetics
- Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype/metabolism
- Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype/analysis
- Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype/genetics
- Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Trophoblasts/drug effects
- Trophoblasts/immunology
- Trophoblasts/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Peng
- LMU Munich, University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Southwest Medical University, Taiping Rd. 25, Luzhou 646100, China
| | - Yao Ye
- LMU Munich, University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Zhongshan Hospital, Fu Dan University School of Medicine, Fenglin Rd. 180, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Heather Mullikin
- LMU Munich, University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - LiLi Lin
- LMU Munich, University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Christina Kuhn
- LMU Munich, University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Martina Rahmeh
- LMU Munich, University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sven Mahner
- LMU Munich, University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Udo Jeschke
- LMU Munich, University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; University Hospital Augsburg, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Stenglinstr. 2, Augsburg 86156, Germany.
| | - Viktoria von Schönfeldt
- LMU Munich, University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
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Buslei R, Strissel PL, Henke C, Schey R, Lang N, Ruebner M, Stolt CC, Fabry B, Buchfelder M, Strick R. Activation and regulation of endogenous retroviral genes in the human pituitary gland and related endocrine tumours. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2015; 41:180-200. [PMID: 24635849 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Adenohypophysis (AH) hormone-producing cells represent the origin of diverse groups of pituitary adenomas (PA). Deregulation of hypothalamic hormone receptors, growth factors and cAMP signalling have been implicated in the aetiology of PA. Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are derived from past exogenous retroviral infections and represent more than 8% of the human genome. Some ERV genes encode open reading frames and produce functional proteins, for example, the ERVW-1 envelope gene Syncytin-1, essential for placentogenesis, but also deregulated in human tumours. Data concerning ERV expression in the AH and related endocrine tumours are missing. METHODS Syncytin-1 protein was analysed in normal AH (n = 15) and compared with five PA subtypes (n = 117) by immunohistochemistry. Absolute gene expression of 20 ERV functional envelope genes and ERVW-5 gag was measured. PA tissues were examined for Syncytin-1 and the cAMP signalling marker phospho-CREB-Ser133 using immunohistochemistry. Isolated primary human PA cells were treated with different hormones. Murine embryonic and adult pituitary gland ERV expressions were compared with human AH. RESULTS Syncytin-1 protein colocalized with corticotropic cells of AH. In contrast, all PA demonstrated significant Syncytin-1 protein overexpression, supporting deregulation. All other ERV genes showed significant up-regulations in different PA subtypes. Phospho-CREB-Ser133 and Syncytin-1 colocalized in PA cells. Cultivated primary PA cells with ACTH or CRH induced their respective receptors and ERV genes. Syncytin-A/-B, murine orthologues to human Syncytin-1/-2, localized to embryonic and adult pituitary glands demonstrating functional mammalian conservation. CONCLUSIONS Deregulated ERV genes may contribute to PA development via cAMP signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolf Buslei
- Institute of Neuropathology, University-Clinic Erlangen, Lab for Molecular Medicine, Erlangen, Germany
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Pan X, Bowman M, Scott RJ, Fitter J, Nicholson RC, Smith R, Zakar T. Methylation of the Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Gene Promoter in BeWo Cells: Relationship to Gene Activity. Int J Endocrinol 2015; 2015:861302. [PMID: 26457081 PMCID: PMC4589633 DOI: 10.1155/2015/861302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) production by the human placenta increases exponentially as pregnancy advances, and the rate of increase predicts gestational length. CRH gene expression is regulated by cAMP in trophoblasts through a cyclic AMP-response element (CRE), which changes its transcription factor binding properties upon methylation. Here we determined whether methylation of the CRH proximal promoter controls basal and cAMP-stimulated CRH expression in BeWo cells, a well-characterized trophoblastic cell line. We treated the cells with 8-Br-cAMP and the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2' deoxycytidine (5-AZA-dC) and determined the effects on CRH mRNA level and promoter methylation. Clonal bisulfite sequencing showed partial and allele independent methylation of CpGs in the CRH promoter. CRH mRNA expression and the methylation of a subset of CpGs (including CpG2 in the CRE) increased spontaneously during culture. 8-Br-cAMP stimulated CRH expression without affecting the increase in methylation. 5-AZA-dC decreased methylation and augmented 8-Br-cAMP-stimulated CRH expression, but it blocked the spontaneous increase of CRH mRNA level. We conclude that the CRH promoter is a dynamically and intermediately methylated genomic region in BeWo cells. Promoter methylation did not inhibit CRH gene expression under the conditions employed; rather it determined the contribution of alternative cAMP-independent pathways and cAMP-independent mechanisms to CRH expression control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Pan
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Maria Bowman
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Rodney J. Scott
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Molecular Medicine, Hunter Area Pathology Service, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2310, Australia
| | - John Fitter
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Richard C. Nicholson
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2310, Australia
| | - Roger Smith
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2310, Australia
| | - Tamas Zakar
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2310, Australia
- *Tamas Zakar:
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Hogg K, Robinson WP, Beristain AG. Activation of endocrine-related gene expression in placental choriocarcinoma cell lines following DNA methylation knock-down. Mol Hum Reprod 2014; 20:677-89. [PMID: 24623739 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasingly, placental DNA methylation is assessed as a factor in pregnancy-related complications, yet the transcriptional impact of such findings is not always clear. Using a proliferative in vitro placental model, the effect of DNA methylation loss on gene activation was evaluated at a number of genes selected for being differentially methylated in pre-eclampsia-associated placentae in vivo. We aimed to determine whether reduced DNA methylation at specific loci was associated with transcriptional changes at the corresponding gene, thus providing mechanistic underpinnings for previous clinical findings and to assess the degree of transcriptional response amongst our candidate genes. BeWo and JEG3 choriocarcinoma cells were exposed to 1 μM 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) or vehicle control for 48 h, and re-plated and cultured for a further 72 h in normal media before cells were harvested for RNA and DNA. Bisulphite pyrosequencing confirmed that DNA methylation was reduced by ∼30-50% points at the selected loci studied in both cell lines. Gene activation, measured by qRT-PCR, was highly variable and transcript specific, indicating differential sensitivity to DNA methylation. Most notably, loss of DNA methylation at the leptin (LEP) promoter corresponded to a 200-fold and 40-fold increase in LEP expression in BeWo and JEG3 cells, respectively (P < 0.01). Transcripts of steroidogenic pathway enzymes CYP11A1 and HSD3B1 were up-regulated ∼40-fold in response to 5-Aza-CdR exposure in BeWo cells (P < 0.01). Other transcripts, including aromatase (CYP19), HSD11B2, inhibin (INHBA) and glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) were more moderately, although significantly, affected by loss of associated DNA methylation. These data present a mixed effect of DNA methylation changes at selected loci supporting cautionary interpretation of DNA methylation results in the absence of functional data.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Hogg
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada Child & Family Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - W P Robinson
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada Child & Family Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - A G Beristain
- Child & Family Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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