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Dang Q, Zhu Y, Zhang Y, Hu Z, Wei Y, Chen Z, Jiang X, Cai X, Yu H. Nuclear Binding Protein 2/Nesfatin-1 Affects Trophoblast Cell Fusion during Placental Development via the EGFR-PLCG1-CAMK4 Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1925. [PMID: 38339201 PMCID: PMC10856506 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031925] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that nuclear binding protein 2 (NUCB2) is expressed in the human placenta and increases with an increase in the syncytialization of trophoblast cells. This study aimed to investigate the role of NUCB2 in the differentiation and fusion of trophectoderm cells. In this study, the expression levels of NUCB2 and E-cadherin in the placentas of rats at different gestation stages were investigated. The results showed that there was an opposite trend between the expression of placental NUCB2 and E-cadherin in rat placentas in different trimesters. When primary human trophoblast (PHT) and BeWo cells were treated with high concentrations of Nesfatin-1, the trophoblast cell syncytialization was significantly inhibited. The effects of NUCB2 knockdown in BeWo cells and Forskolin-induced syncytialization were investigated. These cells showed a significantly decreased cell fusion rate. The mechanism underlying NUCB2-regulated trophoblast cell syncytialization was explored using RNA-Seq and the results indicated that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCG1)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CAMK4) pathway might be involved. The results suggested that the placental expression of NUCB2 plays an important role in the fusion of trophoblasts during differentiation via the EGFR-PLCG1-CAMK4 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyu Dang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Q.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.W.); (Z.C.); (X.C.)
| | - Yandi Zhu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Q.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.W.); (Z.C.); (X.C.)
| | - Yadi Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Q.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.W.); (Z.C.); (X.C.)
| | - Zhuo Hu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Q.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.W.); (Z.C.); (X.C.)
| | - Yuchen Wei
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Q.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.W.); (Z.C.); (X.C.)
| | - Zhaoyang Chen
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Q.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.W.); (Z.C.); (X.C.)
| | - Xinyin Jiang
- Departments of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College of City University of New York, New York, NY 11210, USA;
| | - Xiaxia Cai
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Q.D.); (Y.Z.); (Y.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.W.); (Z.C.); (X.C.)
| | - Huanling Yu
- Departments of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College of City University of New York, New York, NY 11210, USA;
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Wu J, Qin C, Tian F, Liu X, Hu J, Wu F, Chen C, Lin Y. Epigenetic drug screening for trophoblast syncytialization reveals a novel role for MLL1 in regulating fetoplacental growth. BMC Med 2024; 22:57. [PMID: 38317232 PMCID: PMC10845764 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03264-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal placental development is a significant factor contributing to perinatal morbidity and mortality, affecting approximately 5-7% of pregnant women. Trophoblast syncytialization plays a pivotal role in the establishment and maturation of the placenta, and its dysregulation is closely associated with several pregnancy-related disorders, including preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. However, the underlying mechanisms and genetic determinants of syncytialization are largely unknown. METHODS We conducted a systematic drug screen using an epigenetic compound library to systematically investigate the epigenetic mechanism essential for syncytialization, and identified mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1), a histone 3 lysine 4 methyltransferase, as a crucial regulator of trophoblast syncytialization. BeWo cells were utilized to investigate the role of MLL1 during trophoblast syncytialization. RNA sequencing and CUT&Tag were further performed to search for potential target genes and the molecular pathways involved. Human placenta tissue was used to investigate the role of MLL1 in TEA domain transcription factor 4 (TEAD4) expression and the upstream signaling during syncytialization. A mouse model was used to examine whether inhibition of MLL1-mediated H3K4me3 regulated placental TEAD4 expression and fetoplacental growth. RESULTS Genetic knockdown of MLL1 or pharmacological inhibition of the MLL1 methyltransferase complex (by MI-3454) markedly enhanced syncytialization, while overexpression of MLL1 inhibited forskolin (FSK)-induced syncytiotrophoblast formation. In human placental villous tissue, MLL1 was predominantly localized in the nuclei of cytotrophoblasts. Moreover, a notable upregulation in MLL1 expression was observed in the villus tissue of patients with preeclampsia compared with that in the control group. Based on RNA sequencing and CUT&Tag analyses, depletion of MLL1 inhibited the Hippo signaling pathway by suppressing TEAD4 expression by modulating H3K4me3 levels on the TEAD4 promoter region. TEAD4 overexpression significantly reversed the FSK-induced or MLL1 silencing-mediated trophoblast syncytialization. Additionally, decreased hypoxia-inducible factor 1A (HIF1A) enrichment at the MLL1 promoter was observed during syncytialization. Under hypoxic conditions, HIF1A could bind to and upregulate MLL1, leading to the activation of the MLL1/TEAD4 axis. In vivo studies demonstrated that the administration of MI-3454 significantly enhanced fetal vessel development and increased the thickness of the syncytial layer, thereby supporting fetoplacental growth. CONCLUSIONS These results revealed a novel epigenetic mechanism underlying the progression of syncytialization with MLL1, and suggest potential avenues for identifying new therapeutic targets for pregnancy-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Wu
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuanmei Qin
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fuju Tian
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueqing Liu
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianing Hu
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Wu
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cailian Chen
- Department of Automation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Key Laboratory of System Control and Information Processing, Ministry of Education of China, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Lin
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Pell J, Nagata S, Menon MC. Nonpodocyte Roles of APOL1 Variants: An Evolving Paradigm. KIDNEY360 2023; 4:e1325-e1331. [PMID: 37461136 PMCID: PMC10550003 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0000000000000216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Since the seminal discovery of the trypanolytic, exonic variants in apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) and their association with kidney disease in individuals of recent African ancestry, a wide body of research has emerged offering key insights into the mechanisms of disease. Importantly, the podocyte has become a focal point for our understanding of how risk genotype leads to disease, with activation of putative signaling pathways within the podocyte identified as playing a causal role in podocytopathy, FSGS, and progressive renal failure. However, the complete mechanism of genotype-to-phenotype progression remains incompletely understood in APOL1-risk individuals. An emerging body of evidence reports more than podocyte-intrinsic expression of APOL1 risk variants is needed for disease to manifest. This article reviews the seminal data and reports which placed the podocyte at the center of our understanding of APOL1-FSGS, as well as the evident shortcomings of this podocentric paradigm. We examine existing evidence for environmental and genetic factors that may influence disease, drawing from both clinical data and APOL1's fundamental role as an immune response gene. We also review the current body of data for APOL1's impact on nonpodocyte cells, including endothelial cells, the placenta, and immune cells in both a transplant and native setting. Finally, we discuss the implications of these emerging data and how the paradigm of disease might evolve as a result.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Pell
- Department of Medicine , Yale University, New Haven , Connecticut
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4
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Su AL, Loch-Caruso R. Apoptotic responses stimulated by the trichloroethylene metabolite S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine depend on cell differentiation state in BeWo human trophoblast cells. Toxicol In Vitro 2023; 86:105514. [PMID: 36336211 PMCID: PMC9949904 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2022.105514] [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: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the placental villous cytotrophoblasts differentiate via cell fusion and multinucleation to create syncytiotrophoblasts, a cell type at the maternal-fetal interface. Apoptosis of syncytiotrophoblasts is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The human trophoblast BeWo cell line has been used as an in vitro model for this differentiation process, also known as syncytialization. In the current study, we exposed unsyncytialized BeWo cells, BeWo cells undergoing syncytialization, and syncytialized BeWo cells to S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC), a metabolite of the industrial chemical trichloroethylene (TCE). DCVC exposure at 50 μM for 48 h decreased cell viability, increased cytotoxicity, increased caspase 3/7 activity, and increased nuclear condensation or fragmentation in BeWo cells regardless of their differentiation status. Investigating mechanisms of apoptosis, DCVC increased H2O2 abundance and decreased PRDX2 mRNA in all three BeWo cell models. DCVC decreased tumor necrosis factor-receptor 1 (TNF-R1) concentration in media and decreased NFKB1 and PRDX1 mRNA expression in syncytialized BeWo cells only. DCVC decreased BCL2 mRNA expression in syncytializing BeWo cells and in syncytialized BeWo cells only. Decreased LGALS3 mRNA was seen in unsyncytialized BeWo cells only. Together, these data suggest roles for oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory mechanisms underlying apoptosis in BeWo cells with differences depending on differentiation state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony L Su
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA.
| | - Rita Loch-Caruso
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA.
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5
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Abostait A, Tyrrell J, Abdelkarim M, Shojaei S, Tse WH, El-Sherbiny IM, Keijzer R, Labouta HI. Placental Nanoparticle Uptake-On-a-Chip: The Impact of Trophoblast Syncytialization and Shear Stress. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:3757-3769. [PMID: 36053057 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is a dynamic and complex organ that plays an essential role in the health and development of the fetus. Placental disorders can affect the health of both the mother and the fetus. There is currently an unmet clinical need to develop nanoparticle-based therapies to target and treat placental disorders. However, little is known about the interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) with the human placenta under biomimetic conditions. Specifically, the impact of shear stress exerted on the trophoblasts (placental epithelial cells) by the maternal blood flow, the gradual fusion of the trophoblasts along the gestation period (syncytialization), and the impact of microvilli formation on the cell uptake of NPs is not known. To this end, we designed dynamic placenta-on-a-chip models using BeWo cells to recapitulate the micro-physiological environment, and we induced different degrees of syncytialization via chemical induction with forskolin. We characterized the degree of syncytialization quantitatively by measuring beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) secretion, as well as qualitatively by immunostaining the tight junction protein, ZO-1, and counter nuclear staining. We also characterized microvilli formation under static and dynamic conditions via F-actin staining. We used these models to measure the cell uptake of chondroitin sulfate a binding protein (CSA) conjugated and control liposomes using confocal microscopy, followed by image analysis. Interestingly, exposure of the cells to a dynamic flow of media intrinsically induced syncytialization and microvilli formation compared to static controls. Under dynamic conditions, BeWo cells produced more β-hCG in conditions that increased the cell exposure time to forskolin (p < 0.005). Our cell uptake results clearly show a combined effect of the exerted shear stress and forskolin treatment on the cell uptake of liposomes as uptake increased in forskolin exposed conditions (p < 0.05). Overall, the difference in the extent of cell uptake of liposomes among the different conditions clearly displays a need for the development of dynamic models of the placenta that consider the changes in the placental cell phenotype along the gestation period, including syncytialization, microvilli formation, and the expression of different transport and uptake receptors. Knowledge generated from this work will inform future research aiming at developing drug delivery systems targeting the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Abostait
- College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 0T5, Canada.,Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 3P4, Canada
| | - Jack Tyrrell
- College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 0T5, Canada
| | - Mahmoud Abdelkarim
- College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 0T5, Canada.,Biomedical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3T 5V6, Canada
| | - Shahla Shojaei
- College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 0T5, Canada
| | - Wai Hei Tse
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 3P4, Canada.,Depts of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatrics & Child Health and Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3A 1R9, Canada
| | - Ibrahim M El-Sherbiny
- Nanomedicine Research Labs, Center for Materials Science, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza 12578, Egypt
| | - Richard Keijzer
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 3P4, Canada.,Depts of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatrics & Child Health and Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3A 1R9, Canada
| | - Hagar I Labouta
- College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 0T5, Canada.,Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 3P4, Canada.,Biomedical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3T 5V6, Canada.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
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6
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Oxidative stress-induced impairment of trophoblast function causes preeclampsia through the unfolded protein response pathway. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18415. [PMID: 34531444 PMCID: PMC8446002 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97799-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific disorder, characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. In PE, trophoblasts mediated inadequate remodeling of uterine spiral arteries seem to interrupt uteroplacental blood flow, one of the hallmarks in the early onset of PE (EO-PE). This, in turn, results in placental ischemia–reperfusion injury during hypoxia and reoxygenation episodes, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress (OS). But still it is debatable if OS is a cause or consequence of PE. In this present study, we have investigated the effects of OS on PE placentae and trophoblast cell functions using BeWo and HTR8/SVneo cell lines. PE placental tissues showed abnormal ultrastructure, high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with altered unfolded protein responses (UPR) in compare with term placental tissues. Similar to PE placentae, during OS induction, the trophoblast cells showed altered invasion and migration properties with significantly variable expression of differentiation and invasion markers, e.g., syncytin and MMPs. The effect was rescued by antioxidant, N-acetyl cysteine, thereby implying a ROS-specific effect and in the trophoblast cells, OS triggers UPR pathway through IRE1α-XBP1 axis. Taken together, these findings highlight the harmful effect of unfolded protein response, which was induced due to OS on trophoblast cells and deformed invasion and differentiation programme and can be extended further to clinical settings to identify clinically approved antioxidants during pregnancy as a therapeutic measure to reduce the onset of PE.
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7
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Placental trophoblast syncytialization potentiates macropinocytosis via mTOR signaling to adapt to reduced amino acid supply. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2017092118. [PMID: 33402432 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2017092118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, the appropriate allocation of nutrients between the mother and the fetus is dominated by maternal-fetal interactions, which is primarily governed by the placenta. The syncytiotrophoblast (STB) lining at the outer surface of the placental villi is directly bathed in maternal blood and controls feto-maternal exchange. The STB is the largest multinucleated cell type in the human body, and is formed through syncytialization of the mononucleated cytotrophoblast. However, the physiological advantage of forming such an extensively multinucleated cellular structure remains poorly understood. Here, we discover that the STB uniquely adapts to nutrient stress by inducing the macropinocytosis machinery through repression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. In primary human trophoblasts and in trophoblast cell lines, differentiation toward a syncytium triggers macropinocytosis, which is greatly enhanced during amino acid shortage, induced by inhibiting mTOR signaling. Moreover, inhibiting mTOR in pregnant mice markedly stimulates macropinocytosis in the syncytium. Blocking macropinocytosis worsens the phenotypes of fetal growth restriction caused by mTOR-inhibition. Consistently, placentas derived from fetal growth restriction patients display: 1) Repressed mTOR signaling, 2) increased syncytialization, and 3) enhanced macropinocytosis. Together, our findings suggest that the unique ability of STB to undergo macropinocytosis serves as an essential adaptation to the cellular nutrient status, and support fetal survival and growth under nutrient deprivation.
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8
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Quantitative chemoproteomics reveals O-GlcNAcylation of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) represses trophoblast syncytialization. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:788-801.e5. [PMID: 33626323 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates the involvement of O-GlcNAc modification in placental development and pregnant health through mechanisms that are not well understood. Herein, by applying the quantitative O-GlcNAc proteomics, we established a database of O-GlcNAcylated proteins in human placental trophoblasts. Hundreds of proteins that were dynamically O-GlcNAcylated during trophoblast differentiation were identified, among which cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) exhibited the most significant change. Site-specific analysis by mass spectrometry revealed Ser138 as the core O-GlcNAc site in CSE, and its O-GlcNAcylation promoted the enzymatic activity to produce H2S, which in turn repressed trophoblast differentiation via inhibiting androgen receptor dimerization. Consistently, in preeclamptic placentas, remarkably enhanced CSE O-GlcNAcylation and H2S production were associated with restricted trophoblast differentiation. The findings establish a resource of O-GlcNAc dynamics in human placenta, and provide a deeper insight into the biological significance of O-GlcNAcylation in placental development as well as potential therapeutic targets for the relevant pregnant complications.
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9
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Zheng R, Li Y, Sun H, Lu X, Sun BF, Wang R, Cui L, Zhu C, Lin HY, Wang H. Deep RNA sequencing analysis of syncytialization-related genes during BeWo cell fusion. Reproduction 2016; 153:REP-16-0343. [PMID: 27742864 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The syncytiotrophoblast (STB) plays a key role in maintaining the function of the placenta during human pregnancy. However, the molecular network that orchestrates STB development remains elusive. The aim of this study was to obtain broad and deep insight into human STB formation via transcriptomics. We adopted RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to investigate genes and isoforms involved in forskolin (FSK)-induced fusion of BeWo cells. BeWo cells were treated with 50 μM FSK or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as a vehicle control for 24 and 48 h, and the mRNAs at 0, 24 and 48 h was sequenced. We detected 28,633 expressed genes and identified 1,902 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after FSK treatment for 24 and 48 h. Among the 1,902 DEGs, 461 were increased and 395 were decreased at 24 h, while 879 were up-regulated and 763 were down-regulated at 48 h. When the 856 DEGs identified at 24 h were traced individually at 48 h, they separated into 6 dynamic patterns via a K-means algorithm, and most were enriched in down-even and up-even patterns. Moreover, the Gene Ontology (GO) terms syncytium formation, cell junction assembly, cell fate commitment, calcium ion transport, regulation of epithelial cell differentiation and cell morphogenesis involved in differentiation were clustered, and the MAPK pathway was most significantly regulated. Analyses of alternative splicing isoforms detected 123,200 isoforms, of which 1,376 were differentially expressed. The present deep analysis of the RNA-Seq data of BeWo cell fusion provides important clues for understanding the mechanisms underlying human STB formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Zheng
- R Zheng, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology , Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Li
- Y Li, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Huiying Sun
- H Sun, Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyin Lu
- X Lu, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology Beijing, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bao-Fa Sun
- B Sun, Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Wang
- R Wang, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lina Cui
- L Cui, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chiense Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Zhu
- C Zhu, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology , Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Yan Lin
- H Lin, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology , Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- H Wang, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology , Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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10
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Bruggeman LA, Wu Z, Luo L, Madhavan SM, Konieczkowski M, Drawz PE, Thomas DB, Barisoni L, Sedor JR, O'Toole JF. APOL1-G0 or APOL1-G2 Transgenic Models Develop Preeclampsia but Not Kidney Disease. J Am Soc Nephrol 2016; 27:3600-3610. [PMID: 27026370 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2015111220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
APOL1 risk variants are associated with kidney disease in blacks, but the mechanisms of renal injury associated with APOL1 risk variants are unknown. Because APOL1 is unique to humans and some primates, we created transgenic (Tg) mice using the promoter of nephrin-encoding Nphs1 to express the APOL1 reference sequence (G0) or the G2 risk variant in podocytes, establishing Tg lines with a spectrum of APOL1 expression levels. Podocytes from Tg-G0 and Tg-G2 mice did not undergo necrosis, apoptosis, or autophagic cell death in vivo, even in lines with highly expressed transgenes. Further, Tg-G0 and Tg-G2 mice did not develop kidney pathology, proteinuria, or azotemia as of 300 days of age. However, by 200 days of age, Tg-G2 mice had significantly lower podocyte density than age-matched WT and Tg-G0 mice had, a difference that was not evident at weaning. Notably, a pregnancy-associated phenotype that encompassed eclampsia, preeclampsia, fetal/neonatal deaths, and small litter sizes occurred in some Tg-G0 mice and more severely in Tg-G2 mice. Similar to human placenta, placentas of Tg mice expressed APOL1. Overall, these results suggest podocyte depletion could predispose individuals with APOL1 risk genotypes to kidney disease in response to a second stressor, and add to other published evidence associating APOL1 expression with preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A Bruggeman
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center and
| | - Zhenzhen Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center and
| | - Liping Luo
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center and
| | - Sethu M Madhavan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center and
| | | | - Paul E Drawz
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and
| | - David B Thomas
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Laura Barisoni
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - John R Sedor
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center and.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - John F O'Toole
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center and
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11
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Costa MA. Scrutinising the regulators of syncytialization and their expression in pregnancy-related conditions. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 420:180-93. [PMID: 26586208 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is important for the success of gestation and foetal development. In fact, this specialized pregnancy organ is essential for foetal nourishment, support, and protection. In the placenta, there are different cell populations, including four subtypes of trophoblasts. Cytotrophoblasts fuse and differentiate into the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast (syncytialization). Syncytialization is a hallmark of placentation and is highly regulated by numerous molecules with distinct roles. Placentas from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction or trisomy 21 have been associated with a defective syncytialization and an altered expression of its modulators. This work proposes to review the molecules that promote or inhibit both fusion and biochemical differentiation of cytotrophoblasts. Moreover, it will also analyse the syncytialization modulators abnormally expressed in pathological placentas, highlighting the molecules that may contribute to the aetiology of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Costa
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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