Effect of ghrelin on proliferation, apoptosis and secretion of progesterone and hCG in the placental JEG-3 cell line.

To determine the effect of ghrelin on placental cell proliferation, apoptosis and hormone secretion we cultured human JEG-3 cells with 100, 250, 500 or 1000 pg/ml of ghrelin for 48 hours. Ghrelin stimulated cell proliferation and decreased caspase-3 activity. All of the investigated ghrelin concentrations decreased progesterone (P(3)) but had no effect on human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) secretion. Stimulatory effects on cell proliferation paralleled inhibitory effects on cell apoptosis suggesting a possible role for ghrelin in placental formation or remodeling.