York Hunt Ng1, Hua Zhu, Peter C K Leung. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, 4490 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3V5.
Abstract
CONTEXT: The formation of the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast of the human placenta by the terminal differentiation and fusion of mononucleate cytotrophoblasts is a critical step in pregnancy. Previous studies have demonstrated that this cellular event is dependent on a progressive decrease in the levels of the cell-adhesion molecule, E-cadherin. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the role of Twist, a transcription factor identified as a key repressor of E-cadherin expression, in the differentiation of human trophoblastic cells. DESIGN: The expression of Twist or E-cadherin were first examined in first-trimester chorionic villi by immunohistochemistry. Gain- or loss-of-function studies on Twist were then performed in BeWo choriocarcinoma cells. The presence or absence of multinucleated syncytium was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence using antibodies directed against Twist, E-cadherin, or desmoplakin, a cellular marker of mononucleate cytotrophoblasts. RESULTS: The formation of multinucleated syncytium was associated with increased Twist and a decreased E-cadherin expression. Similarly, exogenous expression of Twist resulted in a continuous and progressive decrease in E-cadherin expression and the subsequent formation of syncytium in BeWo cells maintained under normal culture conditions. In contrast, small interfering RNA specific for Twist inhibited 8-Br-cAMP (8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate)-mediated differentiation and fusion of over time in culture. CONCLUSIONS: Twist is an upstream regulator of the E-cadherin-mediated terminal differentiation and fusion in a human trophoblastic cell line in vitro.
CONTEXT: The formation of the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast of the human placenta by the terminal differentiation and fusion of mononucleate cytotrophoblasts is a critical step in pregnancy. Previous studies have demonstrated that this cellular event is dependent on a progressive decrease in the levels of the cell-adhesion molecule, E-cadherin. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the role of Twist, a transcription factor identified as a key repressor of E-cadherin expression, in the differentiation of human trophoblastic cells. DESIGN: The expression of Twist or E-cadherin were first examined in first-trimester chorionic villi by immunohistochemistry. Gain- or loss-of-function studies on Twist were then performed in BeWo choriocarcinoma cells. The presence or absence of multinucleated syncytium was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence using antibodies directed against Twist, E-cadherin, or desmoplakin, a cellular marker of mononucleate cytotrophoblasts. RESULTS: The formation of multinucleated syncytium was associated with increased Twist and a decreased E-cadherin expression. Similarly, exogenous expression of Twist resulted in a continuous and progressive decrease in E-cadherin expression and the subsequent formation of syncytium in BeWo cells maintained under normal culture conditions. In contrast, small interfering RNA specific for Twist inhibited 8-Br-cAMP (8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate)-mediated differentiation and fusion of over time in culture. CONCLUSIONS: Twist is an upstream regulator of the E-cadherin-mediated terminal differentiation and fusion in a human trophoblastic cell line in vitro.
Authors: Jessica E Davies; Jürgen Pollheimer; Hannah E J Yong; Maria I Kokkinos; Bill Kalionis; Martin Knöfler; Padma Murthi Journal: Cell Adh Migr Date: 2016-04-12 Impact factor: 3.405
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