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Parenti M, Melough MM, Lapehn S, MacDonald J, Bammler T, Firsick EJ, Choi HY, Derefinko KJ, Enquobahrie DA, Carroll KN, LeWinn KZ, Bush NR, Zhao Q, Sathyanarayana S, Paquette AG. Associations Between Prenatal Vitamin D and Placental Gene Expression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.10.593571. [PMID: 38765981 PMCID: PMC11100832 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.10.593571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Background Vitamin D is a hormone regulating gene transcription. Prenatal vitamin D has been linked to immune and vascular function in the placenta, a key organ of pregnancy. To date, studies of vitamin D and placental gene expression have focused on a limited number of candidate genes. Transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing can provide a more complete representation of the placental effects of vitamin D. Objective We investigated the association between prenatal vitamin D levels and placental gene expression in a large, prospective pregnancy cohort. Methods Participants were recruited in Shelby County, Tennessee in the Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early childhood (CANDLE) study. Vitamin D level (plasma total 25-hydroxyvitatmin D, [25(OH)D]) was measured at mid-pregnancy (16-28 weeks' gestation) and delivery. Placenta samples were collected at birth. RNA was isolated and sequenced. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using adjusted linear regression models. We also conducted weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Results The median 25(OH)D of participants was 21.8 ng/mL at mid-pregnancy (N=774, IQR: 15.4-26.5 ng/mL) and 23.6 ng/mL at delivery (N=753, IQR: 16.8-29.1 ng/mL). Placental expression of 25 DEGs was associated with 25(OH)D at mid-pregnancy, but no DEG was associated with 25(OH)D at delivery. DEGs were related to energy metabolism, cytoskeletal function, and RNA transcription. Using WGCNA, we identified 2 gene modules whose expression was associated with 25(OH)D at mid-pregnancy and 1 module associated with 25(OH)D at delivery. These modules were enriched for genes related to mitochondrial and cytoskeletal function, and were regulated by transcription factors including ARNT2, BHLHE40, FOSL2, JUND, and NFKB1. Conclusions Our results indicate that 25(OH)D during mid-pregnancy, but not at delivery, is associated with placental gene expression at birth. Future research is needed to investigate a potential role of vitamin D in programming placental mitochondrial metabolism, intracellular transport, and transcriptional regulation during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Parenti
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Melissa M. Melough
- Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Samantha Lapehn
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - James MacDonald
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Theo Bammler
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Evan J. Firsick
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Hyo Young Choi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Karen J. Derefinko
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | | | - Kecia N. Carroll
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kaja Z. LeWinn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Nicole R. Bush
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Qi Zhao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Alison G. Paquette
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Ogushi S, Nakanishi T, Kimura T. Cadmium inhibits forskolin-induced differentiation of human placental BeWo cells. J Toxicol Sci 2022; 47:309-315. [PMID: 35908931 DOI: 10.2131/jts.47.309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant. Blood Cd levels in pregnant women have been associated with premature births, infant birth size, placenta previa, and placenta accreta. There have been concerns on the reproductive developmental toxicity of Cd. The choriocarcinoma cell line BeWo, a cellular in vitro model for studying syncytial fusion, has been widely used to study the reproductive and developmental toxic effects of pollutants. Here, we examine the inhibitory effect of Cd against forskolin (FSK)-induced BeWo differentiation. Results showed that Cd exposure inhibited the FSK-induced expression of syncytiotrophoblast-related genes LGALS13, ERVFRD1, SDC1, and CGB3. Inhibition of LGALS13 expression was due to the inhibition of the PKA pathway, whereas the inhibition of the other three genes could be due to the inhibition of the other pathways. These findings could help clarify the reproductive and developmental toxicity of Cd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoko Ogushi
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Setsunan University
| | - Tsuyoshi Nakanishi
- Laboratory of Hygienic Chemistry and Molecular Toxicology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University
| | - Tomoki Kimura
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Setsunan University
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Renaud SJ, Jeyarajah MJ. How trophoblasts fuse: an in-depth look into placental syncytiotrophoblast formation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:433. [PMID: 35859055 PMCID: PMC11072895 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04475-z] [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: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In humans, cell fusion is restricted to only a few cell types under normal conditions. In the placenta, cell fusion is a critical process for generating syncytiotrophoblast: the giant multinucleated trophoblast lineage containing billions of nuclei within an interconnected cytoplasm that forms the primary interface separating maternal blood from fetal tissue. The unique morphology of syncytiotrophoblast ensures that nutrients and gases can be efficiently transferred between maternal and fetal tissue while simultaneously restricting entry of potentially damaging substances and maternal immune cells through intercellular junctions. To maintain integrity of the syncytiotrophoblast layer, underlying cytotrophoblast progenitor cells terminate their capability for self-renewal, upregulate expression of genes needed for differentiation, and then fuse into the overlying syncytium. These processes are disrupted in a variety of obstetric complications, underscoring the importance of proper syncytiotrophoblast formation for pregnancy health. Herein, an overview of key mechanisms underlying human trophoblast fusion and syncytiotrophoblast development is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Renaud
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A5C1, Canada.
| | - Mariyan J Jeyarajah
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A5C1, Canada
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Akıncılar S, Chua J, Ng Q, Chan C, Eslami-S Z, Chen K, Low JL, Arumugam S, Aswad L, Chua C, Tan I, DasGupta R, Fullwood M, Tergaonkar V. Identification of mechanism of cancer-cell-specific reactivation of hTERT offers therapeutic opportunities for blocking telomerase specifically in human colorectal cancer. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:1-16. [PMID: 35697349 PMCID: PMC9841410 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional reactivation of hTERT is the limiting step in tumorigenesis. While mutations in hTERT promoter present in 19% of cancers are recognized as key drivers of hTERT reactivation, mechanisms by which wildtype hTERT (WT-hTERT) promoter is reactivated, in majority of human cancers, remain unknown. Using primary colorectal cancers (CRC) we identified Tert INTeracting region 2 (T-INT2), the critical chromatin region essential for reactivating WT-hTERT promoter in CRCs. Elevated β-catenin and JunD level in CRC facilitates chromatin interaction between hTERT promoter and T-INT2 that is necessary to turn on hTERTexpression. Pharmacological screens uncovered salinomycin, which inhibits JunD mediated hTERT-T-INT2 interaction that is required for the formation of a stable transcription complex on the hTERT promoter. Our results showed for the first time how known CRC alterations, such as APC, lead to WT-hTERT promoter reactivation during stepwise-tumorigenesis and provide a new perspective for developing cancer-specific drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semih Can Akıncılar
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 138673, Singapore
| | - Joelle Yi Heng Chua
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 138673, Singapore
| | - Qin Feng Ng
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 138673, Singapore
| | - Claire Hian Tzer Chan
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 138673, Singapore
| | - Zahra Eslami-S
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 138673, Singapore
| | - Kaijing Chen
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Joo-Leng Low
- Laboratory of Precision Oncology and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, 138672, Singapore
| | - Surendar Arumugam
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics, Laboratory of NFκB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 138673, Singapore
| | - Luay Aswad
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Clarinda Chua
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 138672, Singapore,Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Iain Beehuat Tan
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 138672, Singapore,Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Ramanuj DasGupta
- Laboratory of Precision Oncology and Cancer Evolution, Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, 138672, Singapore
| | - Melissa Jane Fullwood
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore
| | - Vinay Tergaonkar
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +65 65869836; Fax: +65 67791117;
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Generation of Cancer Stem/Initiating Cells by Cell-Cell Fusion. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094514. [PMID: 35562905 PMCID: PMC9101717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
CS/ICs have raised great expectations in cancer research and therapy, as eradication of this key cancer cell type is expected to lead to a complete cure. Unfortunately, the biology of CS/ICs is rather complex, since no common CS/IC marker has yet been identified. Certain surface markers or ALDH1 expression can be used for detection, but some studies indicated that cancer cells exhibit a certain plasticity, so CS/ICs can also arise from non-CS/ICs. Another problem is intratumoral heterogeneity, from which it can be inferred that different CS/IC subclones must be present in the tumor. Cell–cell fusion between cancer cells and normal cells, such as macrophages and stem cells, has been associated with the generation of tumor hybrids that can exhibit novel properties, such as an enhanced metastatic capacity and even CS/IC properties. Moreover, cell–cell fusion is a complex process in which parental chromosomes are mixed and randomly distributed among daughter cells, resulting in multiple, unique tumor hybrids. These, if they have CS/IC properties, may contribute to the heterogeneity of the CS/IC pool. In this review, we will discuss whether cell–cell fusion could also lead to the origin of different CS/ICs that may expand the overall CS/IC pool in a primary tumor.
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Evidence that direct inhibition of transcription factor binding is the prevailing mode of gene and repeat repression by DNA methylation. Nat Genet 2022; 54:1895-1906. [PMID: 36471082 PMCID: PMC9729108 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-022-01241-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cytosine methylation efficiently silences CpG-rich regulatory regions of genes and repeats in mammalian genomes. To what extent this entails direct inhibition of transcription factor (TF) binding versus indirect inhibition via recruitment of methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins is unclear. Here we show that combinatorial genetic deletions of all four proteins with functional MBDs in mouse embryonic stem cells, derived neurons or a human cell line do not reactivate genes or repeats with methylated promoters. These do, however, become activated by methylation-restricted TFs if DNA methylation is removed. We identify several causal TFs in neurons, including ONECUT1, which is methylation sensitive only at a motif variant. Rampantly upregulated retrotransposons in methylation-free neurons feature a CRE motif, which activates them in the absence of DNA methylation via methylation-sensitive binding of CREB1. Our study reveals methylation-sensitive TFs in vivo and argues that direct inhibition, rather than indirect repression by the tested MBD proteins, is the prevailing mechanism of methylation-mediated repression at regulatory regions and repeats.
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Takahashi K, Yoneyama Y, Koizumi N, Utoguchi N, Kanayama N, Higashi N. Expression of p57 KIP2 reduces growth and invasion, and induces syncytialization in a human placental choriocarcinoma cell line, BeWo. Placenta 2020; 104:168-178. [PMID: 33360007 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Syncytiotrophoblasts are the major components of the human placenta involved in fetal maternal exchange and hormone secretion. The syncytiotrophoblasts arise from the fusion of villous cytotrophoblasts. The cell cycle suppressor p57KIP2 is known to be an essential molecule for proper trophoblast differentiation during placental formation. METHODS We generated p57KIP2-expressing BeWo transfectant cells. Proliferation assay and matrigel invasion assay were used to characterize p57KIP2-expressing BeWo transfectant cells. To reveal the role of p57KIP2 in syncytialization, we proceeded syncytium formation analysis and qRT-PCR for detection of the expression levels Syncytin-1, Syncytin-2 and their receptors. RESULTS The human choriocarcinoma cell line, BeWo has undetectable levels of p57KIP2 expression. Expression of p57KIP2 reduced cell proliferation rate and extracellular matrix invasion activity. p57KIP2 expressing cells displayed multinucleated cells associated with syncytiotrophoblast differentiation. In the syncytialization event, p57KIP2 was found to potentiate forskolin-induced upregulation of Syncytin-2 in a cAMP-independent manner. DISCUSSION These results indicate that the expression of p57KIP2 may act on the proliferation/invasion inhibitory factor and enhance the expression of Syncytin-2, which are associated with syncytialization in cytotrophoblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhiko Takahashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Hoshi University, 2-4-41, Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan; Department of Anatomy, Showa Univerisity School of Medicine, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8555, Japan.
| | - Yui Yoneyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Hoshi University, 2-4-41, Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan.
| | - Naoya Koizumi
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165 Higashitamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan.
| | - Naoki Utoguchi
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165 Higashitamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan.
| | - Naohiro Kanayama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 3600, Handa-cho, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan.
| | - Nobuaki Higashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Hoshi University, 2-4-41, Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan.
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Zhu H, Peng B, Klausen C, Yi Y, Li Y, Xiong S, von Dadelszen P, Leung PCK. NPFF increases fusogenic proteins syncytin 1 and syncytin 2 via GCM1 in first trimester primary human cytotrophoblast cells. FASEB J 2020; 34:9419-9432. [PMID: 32501590 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902978r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) is well-known for its roles in the central nervous system. Despite studies demonstrating that NPFF receptor 2 (NPFFR2) mRNA is highest in placenta, nothing is known about NPFF-NPFFR2 functions in placental development. Here, we investigated the effects of NPFF-NPFFR2 on expression of syncytial [human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) β] and fusogenic [syncytin 1, syncytin 2, and glial cells missing 1 (GCM1)] genes in first trimester primary human cytotrophoblast cells. By analyzing two publicly available microarray data sets, we found that NPFF is consistently expressed throughout gestation whereas NPFFR2 increases in first trimester and is elevated in placenta samples from women with preeclampsia. Immunohistochemistry showed that NPFFR2, syncytin 1/2, and GCM1 each displayed unique patterns of expression among different trophoblast populations in first trimester placenta. Treatment of primary human cytotrophoblast cells with NPFF increased the mRNA and protein levels of hCG β, syncytin 1, syncytin 2, and GCM1; and knockdown of NPFFR2 abolished these effects. Interestingly, GCM1 mediated NPFF-induced upregulation of syncytin 1 and syncytin 2, but not hCG β, in primary human cytotrophoblasts. Our results demonstrate that NPFF acts via NPFFR2 to enhance production of hCG β and promote GCM1-dependent expression of syncytin 1 and 2 in human cytotrophoblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Bo Peng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christian Klausen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yuyin Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Siyuan Xiong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Lv B, An Q, Zeng Q, Zhang X, Lu P, Wang Y, Zhu X, Ji Y, Fan G, Xue Z. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals regulatory mechanism for trophoblast cell-fate divergence in human peri-implantation conceptuses. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000187. [PMID: 31596842 PMCID: PMC6802852 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Multipotent trophoblasts undergo dynamic morphological movement and cellular differentiation after conceptus implantation to generate placenta. However, the mechanism controlling trophoblast development and differentiation during peri-implantation development in human remains elusive. In this study, we modeled human conceptus peri-implantation development from blastocyst to early postimplantation stages by using an in vitro coculture system and profiled the transcriptome of 476 individual trophoblast cells from these conceptuses. We revealed the genetic networks regulating peri-implantation trophoblast development. While determining when trophoblast differentiation happens, our bioinformatic analysis identified T-box transcription factor 3 (TBX3) as a key regulator for the differentiation of cytotrophoblast (CT) into syncytiotrophoblast (ST). The function of TBX3 in trophoblast differentiation is then validated by a loss-of-function experiment. In conclusion, our results provided a valuable resource to study the regulation of trophoblasts development and differentiation during human peri-implantation development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Lv
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin An
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, State of California, United States of America
| | - Qiao Zeng
- Center of Reproductive Medicine of Ji’an Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Ji’an, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xunyi Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Lu
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanqiu Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianmin Zhu
- Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yazhong Ji
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (ZX); (GF); (YJ)
| | - Guoping Fan
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, State of California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ZX); (GF); (YJ)
| | - Zhigang Xue
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (ZX); (GF); (YJ)
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Toudic C, Vargas A, Xiao Y, St-Pierre G, Bannert N, Lafond J, Rassart É, Sato S, Barbeau B. Galectin-1 interacts with the human endogenous retroviral envelope protein syncytin-2 and potentiates trophoblast fusion in humans. FASEB J 2019; 33:12873-12887. [PMID: 31499012 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900107r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Syncytin (Syn)-2 is an important fusogenic protein that contributes to the formation of the placental syncytiotrophoblast. Galectin (Gal)-1, a soluble lectin, is also involved in trophoblast cell fusion and modulates the interaction of certain retroviral envelopes with their cellular receptor. This study aimed to investigate the association between Syn-2 and Gal-1 during human trophoblast cell fusion. This association was evaluated in vitro on primary villous cytotrophoblasts (vCTBs) and cell lines using recombinant Gal-1 and Syn-2-pseudotyped viruses. Using lactose, a Gal antagonist, and Gal-1-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfections, we confirmed the implication of Gal-1 in vCTBs and BeWo cell fusion, although RT-PCR and ELISA analyses suggested that Gal-1 alone did not induce syncytialization. Infection assays showed a specific and significant effect of Gal-1 on the infectivity of Syn-2-pseudotyped viruses that depended on the expression of major facilitator superfamily domain-containing 2A (MFSD2a). Moreover, Gal-3, another placental Gal, did not modulate the infectivity of Syn-2-positive viruses, strengthening the specific association between Gal-1 and Syn-2. Interestingly, Gal-1 significantly reduced the infectivity of Syn-1-pseudotyped viruses, suggesting the opposite effects of Gal-1 on Syn-1 and -2. Finally, coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed a glycan-dependent interaction between Syn-2-bearing virions and Gal-1. We conclude that Gal-1 specifically interacts with Syn-2 and possibly regulates Syn-2/MFSD2a interaction during syncytialization of trophoblastic cells.-Toudic, C., Vargas, A., Xiao, Y., St-Pierre, G., Bannert, N., Lafond, J., Rassart, É., Sato, S., Barbeau, B. Galectin-1 interacts with the human endogenous retroviral envelope protein syncytin-2 and potentiates trophoblast fusion in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Toudic
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Centre de Recherche BioMed, Université du Quebec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Amandine Vargas
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Centre de Recherche BioMed, Université du Quebec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yong Xiao
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Centre de Recherche BioMed, Université du Quebec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guillaume St-Pierre
- Glycobiology and Bioimaging Laboratory, Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Julie Lafond
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Centre de Recherche BioMed, Université du Quebec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Éric Rassart
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Centre de Recherche BioMed, Université du Quebec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sachiko Sato
- Glycobiology and Bioimaging Laboratory, Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Benoit Barbeau
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Centre de Recherche BioMed, Université du Quebec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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11
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Yuan C, Freeman BT, McArdle TJ, Jung JP, Ogle BM. Conserved pathway activation following xenogeneic, heterotypic fusion. FASEB J 2019; 33:6767-6777. [PMID: 30807240 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801700r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Fusion between cells of different organisms (i.e., xenogeneic hybrids) can occur, and for humans this may occur in the course of tissue transplantation, animal handling, and food production. Previous work shows that conferred advantages are rare in xenogeneic hybrids, whereas risks of cellular dysregulation are high. Here, we explore the transcriptome of individual xenogeneic hybrids of human mesenchymal stem cells and murine cardiomyocytes soon after fusion and ask whether the process is stochastic or involves conserved pathway activation. Toward this end, single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze the transcriptomes of hybrid cells with respect to the human and mouse genomes. Consistent with previous work, hybrids possessed a unique transcriptome distinct from either fusion partner but were dominated by the cardiomyocyte transcriptome. New in this work is the documentation that a few genes that were latent in both fusion partners were consistently expressed in hybrids. Specifically, human growth hormone 1, murine ribosomal protein S27, and murine ATP synthase H+ transporting, mitochondrial Fo complex subunit C2 were expressed in nearly all hybrids. The consistent activation of latent genes between hybrids suggests conserved signaling mechanisms that either cause or are the consequence of fusion of these 2 cell types and might serve as a target for limiting unwanted xenogeneic fusion in the future.-Yuan, C., Freeman, B. T., McArdle, T. J., Jung, J. P., Ogle, B. M. Conserved pathway activation following xenogeneic, heterotypic fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ce Yuan
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Brian T Freeman
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tanner J McArdle
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jangwook P Jung
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Brenda M Ogle
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; and.,Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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12
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The BeWo cell line derived from a human placental choriocarcinoma is permissive for respiratory syncytial virus infection. Virus Genes 2019; 55:406-410. [PMID: 30758769 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-019-01646-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main pathogen associated with upper respiratory tract infections during early childhood. Vertical transmission of this virus has been suggested in humans, based on observations recorded during animal studies that revealed an association of RSV with persistent structural and functional changes in the developing lungs of the offspring. However, human placentas have not yet been evaluated for susceptibility to RSV infection. In this study, we examined the capacity of RSV to infect a human trophoblast model, the BeWo cell line. Our results suggest that BeWo cells are susceptible to RSV infection since they allow RNA viral replication, viral protein translation, leading to the production of infectious RSV particles. In this report, we demonstrate that a human placenta model system, consisting of BeWo cells, is permissive to RSV infection. Thus, the BeWo cell line may represent a useful model for studies that aim to characterize the events of a possible RSV infection at the human maternal-fetal interface.
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13
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Li P, Shi Y, Shuai H, Cai Y, Lu W, Wang G, Gao L, Wang L, Fan X, Yang X. Alterted SLIT2/ROBO1 signalling is linked to impaired placentation of missed and threatened miscarriage in early pregnancy. Histopathology 2017; 71:543-552. [PMID: 28485101 DOI: 10.1111/his.13250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Two-thirds of early pregnancy failures present with reduced trophoblast invasion, and SLIT2/ROBO1 signalling is considered to play an important role in trophoblast function during pregnancy. We investigated SLIT2/ROBO1 signalling associated with missed and threatened miscarriage during early gestation. METHODS AND RESULTS Human placenta samples were collected from women with missed miscarriage (n = 25), threatened miscarriage (n = 22) and termination of pregnancy controls (n = 32). Corresponding decreases in beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) levels and shallow trophoblast invasion were observed in patients with missed and threatened miscarriage, immunohistological staining revealed abnormal Slit2 and Robo1, as well as E-cadherin and activating protein-2 alpha (AP-2α) expression in villi and extravillous trophoblasts, and the expression of these proteins were confirmed in villi and decidua of miscarriage material by Western blotting. Using HTR8/SVneo cells, blocking SLIT2/ROBO1 signalling promoted cell migration, proliferation and suppressed differentiation. Moreover, blocking SLIT2/ROBO1 signalling in HTR8/SVneo cells altered trophoblast differentiation-related and angiogenesis-related gene mRNA expression, which also occurred in the tissues of missed and threatened miscarriage. CONCLUSIONS SLIT2/ROBO1 signalling may regulate trophoblast differentiation and invasion causing restricting β-hCG production, shallow trophoblast invasion and inhibiting placental angiogenesis in missed and threatened miscarriage during the first trimester.
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MESH Headings
- Abortion, Spontaneous/etiology
- Abortion, Spontaneous/metabolism
- Abortion, Spontaneous/pathology
- Abortion, Threatened/etiology
- Abortion, Threatened/metabolism
- Abortion, Threatened/pathology
- Adult
- Antigens, CD
- Cadherins/genetics
- Cadherins/metabolism
- Cell Movement
- Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human/metabolism
- Female
- Humans
- Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics
- Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism
- Placenta/metabolism
- Placenta/pathology
- Placentation
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Trimester, First
- Receptors, Immunologic/genetics
- Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Trophoblasts/metabolism
- Trophoblasts/pathology
- Young Adult
- Roundabout Proteins
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of The Ministry of Education, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Nursing Science, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxun Shi
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of The Ministry of Education, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hanlin Shuai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanzhen Cai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenhui Lu
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of The Ministry of Education, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guang Wang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of The Ministry of Education, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lufen Gao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lijing Wang
- Institute of Vascular Biological Science, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiujun Fan
- Shenzhen Insititutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of The Ministry of Education, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Baines K, Renaud S. Transcription Factors That Regulate Trophoblast Development and Function. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2017; 145:39-88. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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15
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Liu M, Hassana S, Stiles JK. Heme-mediated apoptosis and fusion damage in BeWo trophoblast cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36193. [PMID: 27796349 PMCID: PMC5086917 DOI: 10.1038/srep36193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Placental malaria (PM) is a complication associated with malaria infection during pregnancy that often leads to abortion, premature delivery, intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight. Increased levels of circulating free heme, a by-product of Plasmodium-damaged erythrocytes, is a major contributor to inflammation, tissue damage and loss of blood brain barrier integrity associated with fatal experimental cerebral malaria. However, the role of heme in PM remains unknown. Proliferation and apoptosis of trophoblasts and fusion of the mononucleated state to the syncytial state are of major importance to a successful pregnancy. In the present study, we examined the effects of heme on the viability and fusion of a trophoblast-derived cell line (BeWo). Results indicate that heme induces apoptosis in BeWo cells by activation of the STAT3/caspase-3/PARP signaling pathway. In the presence of forskolin, which triggers trophoblast fusion, heme inhibits BeWo cell fusion through activation of STAT3. Understanding the effects of free plasma heme in pregnant women either due to malaria, sickle cell disease or other hemolytic diseases, will enable identification of high-risk women and may lead to discovery of new drug targets against associated adverse pregnancy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30310, United States of America
| | - Salifu Hassana
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30310, United States of America
| | - Jonathan K. Stiles
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30310, United States of America
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16
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Lokossou AG, Toufaily C, Vargas A, Barbeau B. siRNA Transfection and EMSA Analyses on Freshly Isolated Human Villous Cytotrophoblasts. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27685614 DOI: 10.3791/53995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Human primary villous cytotrophoblasts are a very useful source of primary cells to study placental functions and regulatory mechanisms, and to comprehend diseases related to pregnancy. In this protocol, human primary villous cytotrophoblasts freshly isolated from placentas through a standard DNase/trypsin protocol are microporated with small interfering RNA (siRNA). This approach provided greater efficiency for siRNA transfection when compared to a lipofection-based method. Transfected cells can subsequently be analyzed by standard Western blot within a time frame of 3-4 days post-transfection. In addition, using cultured primary villous cytotrophoblasts, Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) analysis was optimized and performed on extracts from days 1 to 4. The use of these cultured primary cells and the protocol described allow for an evaluation of the implication of specific genes and transcription factors in the process of villous cytotrophoblast differentiation into a syncytiotrophoblast-like cell layer. However, the limited time span allowable in culture precludes the use of methods requiring more time, such as generation of a stable cell population. Therefore testing of this cell population requires highly optimized gene transfer protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Benoit Barbeau
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Quebec in Montreal;
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17
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Soygur B, Sati L. The role of syncytins in human reproduction and reproductive organ cancers. Reproduction 2016; 152:R167-78. [PMID: 27486264 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Human life begins with sperm and oocyte fusion. After fertilization, various fusion events occur during human embryogenesis and morphogenesis. For example, the fusion of trophoblastic cells constitutes a key process for normal placental development. Fusion in the placenta is facilitated by syncytin 1 and syncytin 2. These syncytins arose from retroviral sequences that entered the primate genome 25 million and more than 40 million years ago respectively. About 8% of the human genome consists of similar human endogenous retroviral (HERVs) sequences. Many are inactive because of mutations or deletions. However, the role of the few that remain transcriptionally active has not been fully elucidated. Syncytin proteins maintain cell-cell fusogenic activity based on ENV: gene-mediated viral cell entry. In this review, we summarize how syncytins and their receptors are involved in fusion events during human reproduction. The significance of syncytins in tumorigenesis is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikem Soygur
- Department of Histology and EmbryologyAkdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Leyla Sati
- Department of Histology and EmbryologyAkdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
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18
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Weiss RA. Human endogenous retroviruses: friend or foe? APMIS 2016; 124:4-10. [PMID: 26818257 DOI: 10.1111/apm.12476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The integration of proviral DNA into host chromosomal DNA as an obligatory step in the replication cycle of retroviruses is a natural event of genetic recombination between virus and host. When integration occurs in cells of the germ line, it results in mendelian inheritance of viral sequences that we call endogenous retroviruses (ERV) and HERV for humans. HERVs and host often establish a symbiotic relationship, especially in the placenta and in pluripotent embryonic stem cells, but HERVs occasionally have deleterious consequences for the host. This special issue of APMIS features the fascinating relationships between HERV and humans in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin A Weiss
- Division of Infection & Immunity, University College London, London, UK
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19
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Recent advances in the study of active endogenous retrovirus envelope glycoproteins in the mammalian placenta. Virol Sin 2015; 30:239-48. [PMID: 26311491 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-015-3617-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are a component of the vertebrate genome and originate from exogenous infections of retroviruses in the germline of the host. ERVs have coevolved with their hosts over millions of years. Envelope glycoproteins of endogenous retroviruses are often expressed in the mammalian placenta, and their potential function has aroused considerable research interest, including the manipulation of maternal physiology to benefit the fetus. In most mammalian species, trophoblast fusion in the placenta is an important event, involving the formation of a multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast layer to fulfill essential fetomaternal exchange functions. The key function in this process derives from the envelope genes of endogenous retroviruses, namely syncytins, which show fusogenic properties and placenta-specific expression. This review discusses the important role of the recognized endogenous retrovirus envelope glycoproteins in the mammalian placenta.
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