Abstract
PurposeThe dysfunction of trophoblast during inflammation plays an important role in PE. Formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) plays crucial roles in the development of inflammation-associated disease. This present study aimed to explore the effect of FPR2 on a trophoblast cellular model of preeclampsia.MethodsThe expression of FPR2 in placenta was detected by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. Transfection of siRNA was used to knockdown FPR2 in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Inflammatory cytokines were detected by ELISA. CCK8, Transwell, wound healing, FACS and tube formation assays were performed to observe the abilities of cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Western blotting was implemented to clarify that NF-κB signaling pathway was downstream of FPR2.ResultsThe expression levels of FPR2 were higher in placental tissues of patients with PE. Knockdown of FPR2 expression by siFPR2 or inhibition of its activity by WRW4 decreased the release of proinflammatory cytokines in HTR8/SVneo cells treated with LPS. Knockdown of FPR2 expression or inhibition of its activity further reversed the LPS-induced attenuation of the proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis and increase in apoptosis in HTR8/SVneo cells. Moreover, the NF-κB signaling pathway was activated in both placental tissues of patients with PE and LPS-treated HTR8/SVneo cells. However, the activation was attenuated when FPR2 was knocked down or inhibited.ConclusionSuppression of FPR2 expression alleviated the effects of inflammation induced by LPS on trophoblasts via the NF-κB signaling pathway, which provided a novel and potential strategy for the treatment of PE.
Highlights
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy disorder characterized by high blood pressure, proteinuria and end-organ dysfunction at a gestational age of ≥ 20 weeks [1]
The expression levels of Formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) were detected in HTR8/SVneo cells in response to LPS, which was used to simulate the inflammatory environment noted in patients with PE
FPR2 increases monocyte and neutrophil chemotaxis and recruitment and plays critical roles in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and its associated complications by modulating inflammation mediated by macrophage M1 polarization [26, 27]
Summary
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy disorder characterized by high blood pressure, proteinuria and end-organ dysfunction at a gestational age of ≥ 20 weeks [1]. It is one of the leading causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide [2]. Mounting evidence has shown that abnormal trophoblast differentiation and invasion are associated with an imbalanced maternal immune response [6]. Excessive release of inflammatory cytokines can trigger inadequate trophoblast invasion and impaired spiral arteries remodeling [7]. It is reasonable to assume that excessive inflammation is one of the causes of
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