Lu Zhang1, Fei Zhao2, Chuan Li2, Hong Li3, Qian Tang1, Yunqing Chen3, Yushuang Yao2, Zhaoxia Ding2, Yinglei Xu1, Aiping Chen4, Shiguo Liu5. 1. Medical Genetic Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China; Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China. 2. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China. 3. Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China. 4. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China. Electronic address: chenaiping516@163.com. 5. Medical Genetic Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China; Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, China. Electronic address: liushiguo2002@126.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Accumulating evidences have suggested a crucial role of epigenetics in the initiation and progression of pre-eclampsia (PE). Here, we studied the expression of the metalloproteinase ADAMTS7 and the methylation level of its promoter in PE placentas and investigated ADAMTS7 role in the pathogenesis of PE. METHODS: We first explored ADAMTS7 expression in PE and normal placentas by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) were performed to evaluate the methylation status of ADAMTS7 promoter. Treatment with 5'-Aza was used to induce demethylation and thereby to explore the direct relationship between promoter methylation and ADAMTS7 expression. CCK8 assay, colony formation assay, and trans-well assay were conducted to assess the viability, migration, and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells. RESULTS: Our results showed that ADAMTS7 expression was upregulated in PE placentas. Methylation analysis revealed a hypomethylated status of ADAMTS7 promoter regions in PE placenta tissues. Besides, demethylation induced by 5'-Aza directly restored ADAMTS7 expression in trophoblast cells. Finally, overexpression of ADAMTS7 inhibited viability, migration, and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells, while silence of ADAMTS7 by RNA interference reciprocally facilitated cell viability, migration and invasion in vitro. DISCUSSION: Upregulation of ADAMTS7 by promoter hypomethylation in placenta might contribute to the etiology of PE via suppressing cell functions of trophoblasts.
INTRODUCTION: Accumulating evidences have suggested a crucial role of epigenetics in the initiation and progression of pre-eclampsia (PE). Here, we studied the expression of the metalloproteinase ADAMTS7 and the methylation level of its promoter in PE placentas and investigated ADAMTS7 role in the pathogenesis of PE. METHODS: We first explored ADAMTS7 expression in PE and normal placentas by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) were performed to evaluate the methylation status of ADAMTS7 promoter. Treatment with 5'-Aza was used to induce demethylation and thereby to explore the direct relationship between promoter methylation and ADAMTS7 expression. CCK8 assay, colony formation assay, and trans-well assay were conducted to assess the viability, migration, and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells. RESULTS: Our results showed that ADAMTS7 expression was upregulated in PE placentas. Methylation analysis revealed a hypomethylated status of ADAMTS7 promoter regions in PE placenta tissues. Besides, demethylation induced by 5'-Aza directly restored ADAMTS7 expression in trophoblast cells. Finally, overexpression of ADAMTS7 inhibited viability, migration, and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells, while silence of ADAMTS7 by RNA interference reciprocally facilitated cell viability, migration and invasion in vitro. DISCUSSION: Upregulation of ADAMTS7 by promoter hypomethylation in placenta might contribute to the etiology of PE via suppressing cell functions of trophoblasts.