Primary Trophoblast Cell Cultures Research Articles

Expression of Enzymes Associated with Prostaglandin Synthesis in Equine Conceptuses.

Simple SummaryThe mobile preimplantative phase of equine gestation, taking place between day 9 and 16 after ovulation, is characterized by peristaltic contractions of the uterus caused by secretion of prostaglandins by the spheric equine conceptus. This mobility is necessary for maternal recognition of pregnancy in equids, taking place around day 14 after ovulation. The presented study investigated the spatial and temporal abundance of prostaglandin synthesis enzymes of the equine conceptus, elucidating a basal and an inducible system for prostaglandin E2. Prostaglandin F2α synthesis is restricted to the “periembryonic”pole area and relies on enzymatic conversion of prostaglandin E2. This scenario led to a model able to explain the embryonic forward motion driven by the peristaltic contractions of the uterus. In vitro incubation of primary trophoblast cell cultures with oxytocin showed no influence of this hormone on prostaglandin synthesis.In the horse, mobility of the conceptus is required for maternal recognition of pregnancy depending on secretion of prostaglandins by the conceptus. The aim of this study was to determine the expression and localization of key enzymes of the different pathways leading to synthesis of prostaglandin E2 and F2α in the equine conceptus during the mobility phase. Enzyme expression was analyzed via quantitative RT-PCR in total RNA samples of equine conceptuses collected on days 10 (n = 5), 12 (n = 12), 14 (n = 5) and 16 (n = 7) from healthy mares. Relative abundance of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA was higher (p < 0.05) than of COX-1 irrespective of conceptus age and for phospholipase A2 on day 16 in comparison to all other days (p < 0.01). Abundance of mRNA of cytosolic and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (PGES) and of carbonyl reductase (CBR) 1 was not influenced by conceptus age. Immunohistochemically, COX-1, COX-2, as well as cytosolic and microsomal PGES were present in both the ectodermal and endodermal layer of the yolk sac wall. CBR-1 was restricted to periembryonic disc area. The localisation of the key enzymes explains the mechanism of embryo mobility. In vitro incubation of primary trophoblast cell cultures with oxytocin had no effect on key enzyme synthesis.

Trophoblast lineage specific expression of the alternative splicing factor RBFOX2 suggests a role in placental development

IntroductionRBFOX2, an RNA-binding protein, controls tissue-specific alternative splicing of exons in diverse processes of development. The progenitor cytotrophoblast of the human placenta differentiates into either the syncytiotrophoblast, formed via cell fusion, or the invasive extravillous trophoblast lineage. The placenta affords a singular system where a role for RBFOX2 in both cell invasion and cell fusion may be studied.We investigated a role for RBFOX2 in trophoblast cell differentiation, as a foundation for investigations of RBFOX2 in embryo implantation and placental development. MethodsImmunohistochemistry of RBFOX2 was performed on placental tissue sections from three trimesters of pregnancy and from pathological pregnancies. Primary trophoblast cell culture and immunofluorescence were employed to determine RBFOX2 expression upon cell fusion. Knockdown of RBFOX2 expression was performed with βhCG and syncytin-1 as molecular indicators of fusion. ResultsIn both normal and pathological placentas, RBFOX2 expression was confined to the cytotrophoblast and the extravillous trophoblast, but absent from the syncytiotrophoblast. Additionally, we showed that primary trophoblasts that spontaneously fused in cell culture downregulated RBFOX2 expression. In functional experiments, knockdown expression of RBFOX2 significantly upregulated βhCG, while the upregulation of syncytin-1 did not reach statistical significance. DiscussionRBFOX2, by conferring mRNA diversity, may act as a regulator switch in trophoblast differentiation to either the fusion or invasive pathways. By studying alternative splicing we further our understanding of placental development, yielding possible insights into preeclampsia, where expression of antiangiogenic isoforms produced through alternative splicing play a critical role in disease development and severity.

Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption

Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption

Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption.

This protocol describes how villous cytotrophoblast cells are isolated from placentas at term by successive enzymatic digestions, followed by density centrifugation, media gradient isolation and immunomagnetic purification. As observed in vivo, mononucleated villous cytotrophoblast cells in primary culture differentiate into multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast cells after 72 hr. Compared to normoxia (8% O2), villous cytotrophoblast cells that undergo hypoxia/reoxygenation (0.5% / 8% O2) undergo increased oxidative stress and intrinsic apoptosis, similar to that observed in vivo in pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction. In this context, primary villous trophoblasts cultured under hypoxia/reoxygenation conditions represent a unique experimental system to better understand the mechanisms and signalling pathways that are altered in human placenta and facilitate the search for effective drugs that protect against certain pregnancy disorders. Human villous trophoblasts produce melatonin and express its synthesizing enzymes and receptors. Melatonin has been suggested as a treatment for preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction because of its protective antioxidant effects. In the primary villous cytotrophoblast cell model described in this paper, melatonin has no effect on trophoblast cells in normoxic state but restores the redox balance of syncytiotrophoblast cells disrupted by hypoxia/reoxygenation. Thus, human villous trophoblast cells in primary culture are an excellent approach to study the mechanisms behind the protective effects of melatonin on placental function during hypoxia/reoxygenation.

Osmotic water permeability diversification in primary trophoblast cultures from aquaporin 1-deficient pregnant mice.

Aquaporins (AQP) are water channel proteins, and some play an important role in maternal-fetal fluid exchange. The present study aimed to measure the osmotic water permeability in primary cultures of trophoblast cells from AQP1-deficient (AQP1(-/-) ) pregnant mice and to define the quantitative role of AQP1 in water transport across the trophoblast plasma membrane. Trophoblast cells were obtained from placental tissue cell culture of AQP1(-/-) pregnant mice and were characterized by cytokeratin 7 immunostaining. The expression of the AQP1 gene in trophoblast cells of wild-type (AQP1(+/+) ) mice was confirmed by immunofluorescence. The osmotic water permeability of trophoblast plasma membranes was measured by a calcein fluorescence quenching method in response to osmotic gradients. A primary cell culture system for trophoblasts was successfully established. Immunofluorescence showed the expression of AQP1 in the trophoblast cell membrane of AQP1(+/+) mice. The osmotic water permeability of AQP1(-/-) trophoblast cells was significantly lower than that in AQP1(+/+) trophoblast cells, in response to both hypotonic and hypertonic challenges. The results suggest an important role of AQP1-mediated plasma membrane water permeability in maternal-fetal fluid balance and also provide a potential direction for the identification of therapeutic targets for the treatment of abnormalities in amniotic fluid volume.

Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Inhibits Trophoblast Cell Invasion by Inducing Snail-mediated Down-regulation of Vascular Endothelial-cadherin Protein

Human trophoblast cells express transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and TGF-β receptors. It has been shown that TGF-β1 treatment decreases the invasiveness of trophoblast cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying TGF-β1-decreased trophoblast invasion are still not fully understood. In the current study, we demonstrated that treatment of HTR-8/SVneo human trophoblast cells with TGF-β1 decreased cell invasion and down-regulated the expression of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin). In addition, the inhibitory effect of TGF-β1 on VE-cadherin was confirmed in primary cultures of human trophoblast cells. Moreover, knockdown of VE-cadherin using siRNA decreased the invasiveness of HTR-8/SVneo cells and primary cultures of trophoblast cells. Treatment with TGF-β1 induced the activation of Smad-dependent signaling pathways and the expression of Snail and Slug. Knockdown of Smads attenuated TGF-β1-induced up-regulation of Snail and Slug and down-regulation of VE-cadherin. Interestingly, depletion of Snail, but not Slug, attenuated TGF-β1-induced down-regulation of VE-cadherin. Furthermore, overexpression of Snail suppressed VE-cadherin expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses showed the direct binding of Snail to the VE-cadherin promoter. These results provide evidence that Snail mediates TGF-β1-induced down-regulation of VE-cadherin, which subsequently contributed to TGF-β1-decreased trophoblast cell invasion.

Establishment and characterization of a spontaneously immortalized trophoblast cell line (HPT-8) and its hepatitis B virus-expressing clone

Most trophoblast cell lines currently available to study vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) are immortalized by viral transformation. Our goal was to establish and characterize a spontaneously immortalized human first-trimester trophoblast cell line and its HBV-expressing clone. Chorionic villi of Asian human first-trimester placentae were digested with trypsin and collagenase I to obtain the primary trophoblast cell culture. A spontaneously immortalized trophoblast cell line (HPT-8) was analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, cell cycle analysis, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. HPT-8 cells were stably transfected with the adr subtype of HBV (HPT-8-HBV) and characterized by PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We obtained a clonal derivative of a spontaneously immortalized primary cell clone (HPT-8). HPT-8 cells were epithelioid and polygonal, and formed multinucleate, giant cells. They exhibited microvilli, distinct desmosomes between adjacent cells, abundant endoplasm, lipid inclusions and glycogen granules, which are all characteristic of cytotrophoblasts. HPT-8 cells expressed cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 18, vimentin, cluster of differentiation antigen 9, epidermal growth factor receptor, stromal cell-derived factor 1 and placental alkaline phosphatase. They secreted prolactin, estradiol, progesterone and hCG, and were positive for HLA-G, a marker of extravillous trophoblasts. HPT-8-HBV cells were positive for HBV relaxed-circular, covalently closed circular DNA and pre-S sequence. HPT-8-HBV cells also produced and secreted HBV surface antigen and HBV e antigen. We established a trophoblast cell line, HPT-8 and its HBV-expressing clone which could be valuable in exploring the mechanism of HBV viral integration in human trophoblasts during intrauterine infection.

Hypoxia and Preeclampsia: Increased Expression of Urocortin 2 and Urocortin 3

Urocortin 2 (Ucn2) and urocortin 3 (Ucn3) are new members of the corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) family of peptides expressed and localized in human placenta. In the current study, we aimed to asses whether hypoxia affects placental Ucn2/Ucn3 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and protein localization in physiological or pathological hypoxia and to evaluate whether the effect is modulated by the hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha). Early first-trimester placental specimens from elective termination of pregnancy were used for villous explants and term placental tissue were used for primary cell cultures. The samples were incubated under different oxygen conditions; parallel sets exposed to hypoxia re-oxygenation (HR). Dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG), an HIF-1alpha stabilizer, was used to mimic the effects of hypoxia in villous explants. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohystochemistry were performed on early pregnancy and preeclamptic (PE) placentae. mRNA levels were measured on villous explants and cell cultures incubated under different oxygen and reagent conditions. Both Ucn2 and Ucn3 mRNA expression was significantly higher at 6 to 9 weeks of gestation than 10 to 12 wks and in primary trophoblast cell cultures and explants exposed to low O(2) tension (3%) compared to 20% O(2). Strong Ucn2/Ucn3 immunoreactivity was present in trophoblast villi from 6 weeks placentae. Ucn2 immunostaining was stronger in early PE (E-PE) samples relative to controls whereas Ucn3 showed stronger immunoreactivity in late-PE (L-PE) placentae. Only Ucn2 transcript levels increased in HR explants. Ucn2 and Ucn3 expression by first-trimester explants was significantly greater in the presence of DMOG. All PE placentae expressed significantly higher Ucn2 and Ucn3 mRNA compared to controls. Placental Ucn2 and Ucn3 expression is sensitive to O(2) tensions and mediated by HIF-1alpha. During early pregnancy, Ucn2/Ucn3 may influence trophoblast proliferation and establishment of pregnancy. In PE placentae, the increased expression of both peptides may reflect a response to the oxidative stress.

Relación de la expresión del factor inducido por hipoxia-2α (HIF-2α) y sVEGF-R1/sFlt-1: implicación en la fisiopatología de preeclampsia

Trophoblast invasion is critical for the establishment of uteroplacental circulation. At the early phases of this process, local oxygen pressure in the placenta is lower, which pathologically remains constant in preeclampsia. Consequently, understanding the response of placental cells to these stimuli is important. In the present study, we used primary cultures of trophoblast cells (TCs), fibroblasts from villous cells, and human umbilical endothelial cells isolated from preterm and term placentas (with and without preeclampsia) to explore the effect of oxygen pressure on the expression and synthesis of VEGF, sVEGFR-1/sFlt-1, and HIF-1α and-2α. Our results show that low oxygen pressure led to a significant selective increase in mRNA and the sVEGF-R1 receptor protein in TCs. VEGF expression and synthesis was elevated in three cell types, but free protein (not bound to sVEGF-R1) was decreased in TCs. Expression of HIF-1α or -2α mRNA in cells was similar in all the types of placentas, but the increase in HIF-2α protein was greater in the TCs of preeclamptic placentas. To evaluate the relationship between HIF-2α and the increase in the sVEGFR-1 receptor, we used siRNAHIF2α. In response to inhibition, expression of the sVEGF-R1 receptor diminished dramatically. HIF-2α blockade did not alter VEGF expression. Our data are the first to indicate that the HIF-2α transcription factor protein is one of the molecules involved in the selective expression of the sVEGF-R1 receptor in TCs during hypoxia.

Dysferlin Is Expressed in Human Placenta But Does Not Associate with Caveolin1

A proteomics screen of human placental microvillous syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs) revealed the expression of dysferlin (DYSF), a plasma membrane repair protein associated with certain muscular dystrophies. This was unexpected given that previous studies of DYSF have been restricted to skeletal muscle. Within the placenta, DYSF localized to the STB and, with the exception of variable labeling in the fetal placental endothelium, none of the other cell types expressed detectable levels of DYSF. Such restricted expression was recapitulated using primary trophoblast cell cultures, because the syncytia expressed DYSF, but not the prefusion mononuclear cells. The apical plasma membrane of the STB contained approximately 4-fold more DYSF than the basal membrane, suggesting polarized trafficking. Unlike skeletal muscle, DYSF in the STB is localized to the plasma membrane in the absence of caveolin. DYSF expression in the STB was developmentally regulated, because first-trimester placentas expressed approximately 3-fold more DYSF than term placentas. As the current literature indicates that few cell types express DYSF, it is of interest that the two major syncytial structures in the human body, skeletal muscle and the STB, express this protein.

Human Placenta Secretes Apolipoprotein B-100-containing Lipoproteins

Supply of lipids from the mother is essential for fetal growth and development. In mice, disruption of yolk sac cell secretion of apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins results in embryonic lethality. In humans, the yolk sac is vestigial. Nutritional functions are instead established very early during pregnancy in the placenta. To examine whether the human placenta produces lipoproteins, we examined apoB and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) mRNA expression in placental biopsies. ApoB and MTP are mandatory for assembly and secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins. Both genes were expressed in placenta and microsomal extracts from human placenta contained triglyceride transfer activity, indicating expression of bioactive MTP. To detect lipoprotein secretion, biopsies from term placentas were placed in medium with [(35)S]methionine and [(35)S]cysteine for 3-24 h. Upon sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation of the labeled medium, fractions were analyzed by apoB-immunoprecipitation. (35)S-labeled apoB-100 was recovered in d approximately 1.02-1.04 g/ml particles (i.e. similar to the density of plasma low density lipoproteins). Electron microscopy of negatively stained lipoproteins secreted from placental tissue showed spherical particles with a diameter of 47 +/- 10 nm. These results demonstrate that human placenta expresses both apoB and MTP and consequently synthesize and secrete apoB-100-containing lipoproteins. Placental lipoprotein formation constitutes a novel pathway of lipid transfer from the mother to the developing fetus.

Putative role of placental corticotropin-releasing factor in the mechanisms of human parturition.

Corticotropin-releasing factor is a 41-amino-acid neuropeptide synthesized in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and released in response to stress. Its major role is the regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis by stimulation of ACTH release from the anterior pituitary gland. In addition, corticotropin-releasing factor modulates behavioral, vascular, and immune responses to stress. Corticotropin-releasing factor was first detected in the extracts of human placentas obtained at full term from spontaneous deliveries. Placental corticotropin-releasing factor content and messenger RNA expression progressively increase during normal pregnancy, and corticotropin-releasing factor levels in maternal plasma have a similar time course. The addition of corticotropin-releasing factor to primary trophoblast cell cultures stimulates ACTH secretion in a dose-dependent manner, and its action is mediated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate as second messenger. In addition, corticotropin-releasing factor is a potent local regulator of myometrial contractility and of membrane prostaglandin release. The effects of corticotropin-releasing factor in these various tissues are mediated by specific receptors. Placental corticotropin-releasing factor is also secreted into the fetal circulation and the stimulation of fetal pituitary ACTH and fetal adrenal gland dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate release in vitro has been shown. Recently, urocortin, a new peptide related to corticotropin-releasing factor, has been found in human placenta. Corticotropin-releasing factor and urocortin share some of their biologic effects, acting on the same receptors. A large-molecular-weight corticotropin-releasing factor-binding protein modulates the activity of both these peptides. Plasma corticotropin-releasing factor levels are low in nonpregnant women and become higher during the second trimester of pregnancy, rising steadily until about 35 weeks, and then increasing more rapidly until term. Vaginal delivery is a condition associated with the highest values of maternal corticotropin-releasing factor levels. Corticotropin-releasing factor is also measurable in fetal plasma (20-fold lower than in maternal circulation) and in amniotic fluid. Increased maternal plasma corticotropin-releasing factor levels characterize some gestational diseases. Women with chronic hypertension and preeclampsia have high corticotropin-releasing factor levels, and intrauterine growth retardation is associated with an activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, reflected by increased fetal plasma concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, and corticotropin-releasing factor. The role of corticotropin-releasing factor in preterm labor is uncertain, but midgestational plasma corticotropin-releasing factor levels may be higher in women delivering preterm. In these various pathologic states, maternal plasma corticotropin-releasing factor-binding protein levels undergo opposite changes, decreasing to very low levels. The endocrine-paracrine corticotropin-releasing factor/corticotropin-releasing factor-binding protein pathways may play a major role in the mechanism of human parturition.

The phagocytic activity of human first trimester extravillous trophoblast

It has been suggested previously that phagocytic activity in the human placenta is confined to cells of the macrophage lineage. However, earlier studies were hampered by the paucity and poor viability of cells inherent in primary trophoblast cell cultures, contamination by other cell types which themselves have phagocytic activity, lack of reliable markers of trophoblasts, and by limitations of methods available to demonstrate unequivocally the internalization of particulate material. We have overcome these limitations by using: (i) DNA transfection to provide unlimited supplies of pure trophoblast cell lines; (ii) human placental lactogen as a marker unique to trophoblast; and (iii) confocal microscopy to demonstrate unequivocally the intracellular locality of phagocytosed material. We found that both untransfected primary culture extravillous trophoblast cells, as well as the cell lines, had the capacity to phagocytose sheep red blood cells, Staphylococcus aureus and baker's yeast cells, and that this activity was inhibited by cytochalasin B and by culture at 4 degrees C. Phagocytic activity in trophoblast cells was less avid than that seen in a professional phagocyte. In physiological and pathological situations where tissue remodelling occurs, such as the rapid turnover in the periodontal ligament or during inflammation, epithelial cells and other cells that are not considered professional phagocytes actively phagocytose components of the extracellular matrix. We postulate that phagocytosis by human trophoblasts may play an important role in the extensive tissue remodelling that occurs during trophoblastic invasion of the decidua.

Mechanisms of trophoblast-virus interaction

The human placenta serves as a barrier to the transmission of some viruses, but allows others to reach the fetal circulation. The resistance and permissiveness of the placenta to viral transmission appears to be determined in large part by the placental trophoblast. In order to define the mechanisms by which human trophoblast cells influence vertical transmission of viruses, we have studied the interaction of replication-deficient recombinant viral vectors with transformed human choriocarcinoma (BeWo) cells and primary trophoblast cell cultures. Recombinant adenovirus vectors efficiently transduce BeWo cells and primary trophoblast cells. However, as BeWo cells differentiate after treatment with cAMP analogs, they become relatively resistant to adenovirus-mediated transduction due to diminished uptake of the virus particles. This differentiation-dependent loss of adenovirus transduction may be related to the down-regulation of the coxsackie adenovirus receptor, which we have detected in undifferentiated trophoblast cells. Recombinant herpes simplex virus vectors also transduce undifferentiated BeWo cells and isolated cytotrophoblast cells, but transduction by herpes simplex virus vectors declines with cAMP-induced trophoblast differentiation, apparently due to reduced viral uptake. In contrast, cAMP treatment augments trophoblast transduction by recombinant adeno-associated virus, a member of the parvovirus family. This augmentation appears to be due to increased virus uptake by a yet to be determined mechanism. The understanding of the molecular basis of these interactions between recombinant viral vectors and trophoblast cells may yield strategies to prevent vertical transmission of viruses as well as to create opportunities to modify trophoblast function through gene transfer using viral vectors.

Regulation of transferrin receptor synthesis by human cytotrophoblast cells in culture

The aim of this study was to examine the capacity of the syncytiotrophoblast to regulate transferrin receptor (TfR) synthesis in response to modulations in maternal iron supply. The model used was the primary trophoblast cell culture. Trophoblast cells isolated from term human placentas were cultured in iron-poor (Medium 199), iron-depleted (desferrioxamine (DFO)) and iron-supplemented (diferric transferrin (hTf-2Fe), ferric ammonium citrate (FAC)) medium. TfR synthesis was reduced in response to hTf-2Fe supplementation. FAC did not modulate TfR synthesis. Iron deprivation by DFO resulted in clear stimulation of TfR synthesis. These results show that the differentiating trophoblast cells respond to pertubations in the (transferrin-mediated) iron supply by adjustments in the rate of TfR synthesis. Taking syncytiotrophoblast in culture as model for the maternal/fetal interface in vivo, our results would suggest that the placenta is able to make short term adjustments of the capacity for iron uptake.

Expression of the Pregnancy-Specific β1-Glycoprotein Gene in Cultured Human Trophoblasts

Human pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (PS beta G), the major placental glycoprotein, shares strong sequence similarity with carcinoembryonic antigen and is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. To understand the role of PS beta G in placental ontogeny during pregnancy, we examined its synthesis and regulation in primary cultures of trophoblast cells. Freshly plated (12 h) cytotrophoblasts expressed little PS beta G transcripts; however, within 24 h of culture, PS beta G mRNAs became detectable. PS beta G synthesis and mRNA expression increased with time in culture, and maximal synthesis was achieved at 4 days, indicating that primary trophoblasts continue differentiating in vitro. Molecular cloning revealed that PS beta G is an extremely polymorphic protein. Most PS beta G cDNAs identified to date, including the three cDNAs (PSG16, PSG93, and PSG95) isolated in this laboratory, share strong sequence similarity in the 5' (designated PSG-5') and coding regions, but differ in sequences at the 3' region. The PSG-5', PSG93-specific, PSG16/PSG93-3', and PSG95-3' probes, which identify the majority of PS beta G mRNAs, hybridized with three mRNAs of 2.3, 2.2, and 1.7 kilobases in primary trophoblasts and human term placental tissue. Ribonuclease protection analysis demonstrated that primary trophoblasts expressed most of the placental PS beta G transcripts. However, culturing in vitro altered PS beta G gene expression, and the level of PS beta G transcripts containing a PSG95-3' sequence was preferentially increased in primary trophoblasts. Moreover, primary trophoblasts synthesized a 64K PS beta G polypeptide in variable amounts and three PS beta Gs of 72K, 62K, and 54K in roughly equal amounts, whereas purified human term placental PS beta G consists of a major polypeptide of 72K and two minor ones of 64K and 54K. PS beta G gene expression in primary trophoblasts was slightly reduced by 8-bromo-cAMP, but was markedly inhibited by sodium butyrate.

Neurotransmitters and peptides modulate the release of immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor from cultured human placental cells

The substances stimulating the release of immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor from cultured human placental cells were investigated. Monolayer primary cultures of trophoblast cells from pregnant women at term were used. The immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor released in the culture medium eluted from high-performance liquid chromatography with the same retention time as human corticotropin-releasing factor. Norepinephrine and acetylcholine increased immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor release into the culture medium in a dose-related manner. Epinephrine was partially active, whereas dopamine and serotonin did not induce significant changes of immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor release from placental cultures. Angiotensin II, interleukin-1, oxytocin, and arginine-vasopressin also increased placental immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor release in a dose-related manner, whereas other peptides (vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, somatostatin, atrial natriuretic factor, interleukin-2) were ineffective. These results showed that several neurotransmitters and peptides stimulate the release of immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor from placental cells, suggesting their possible involvement in the physiologic regulation of placental immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor release during pregnancy and parturition.