220. Homeobox gene HLX is a regulator of HGF/c-met mediated trophoblast migration

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
G. Rajaraman ◽  
P. Murthi ◽  
S. P. Brennecke ◽  
B. Kalionis
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Growth Restriction ◽  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Trophoblast Cell ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Trophoblast Cells ◽  
Cytotrophoblast Cell ◽  
Trophoblast Migration

Homeobox gene transcription factors play critical roles in normal placental development and are expressed in specialised trophoblast cells. Abnormal trophoblast cell function is associated with pregnancy disorders including fetal growth restriction. Our studies show homeobox gene HLX expression in trophoblast cells (1) and that HLX is significantly decreased in fetal growth restriction (2). HLX gene inactivation in cultured trophoblast cells shows that HLX is a regulator of cytokine-dependent trophoblast proliferation (3). Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activates trophoblast cell migration in a paracrine fashion and its receptor, c-met, is expressed in trophoblast cells. This study investigates the regulation of HGF/c-met mediated trophoblast migration by HLX, in two human trophoblast cell lines SGHPL-4 and HTR-8/SVNeo. HGF stimulation significantly increased HLX mRNA expression (e.g. 43.2 ± 2.5, HGF v. 18.4 ± 1.7 control, densitometric units, P < 0.001, n = 3). siRNA-mediated inactivation of HLX resulted in significantly decreased trophoblast migration (e.g. 32 ± 4, siRNA v. 127 ± 12 control, migrated cells, P < 0.05, n = 4). When HLX was inactivated in the presence of HGF stimulation, migration remained significantly decreased (e.g. 112 ± 15, siRNA + HGF v. 368 ± 44 HGF, migrated cells, P < 0.05, n = 4). In order to determine if HGF is acting via the c-met receptor, the Met tyrosine kinase inhibitor, SU11274, was employed to inhibit c-met activity. c-met inhibition resulted in significantly reduced HLX mRNA expression (e.g. 2.1 ± 0.32, SU11274 v. 12.3 ± 1.4 control, densitometric units, P < 0.05, n = 3). HLX expression remained significantly reduced with HGF stimulation and SU11274 mediated c-met inhibition (e.g. 8.02 ± 1.3, SU11274 v. 38.3 ± 5.4 HGF, densitometric units, P < 0.05, n = 3). This is the first study to show that homeobox gene HLX is a downstream effector gene of HGF, that HLX regulates trophoblast migration and that HGF, via its receptor c-met, acts through HLX to control cell migration. (1) Rajaraman G, Murthi P, Quinn L, Brennecke SP, Kalionis B. Homeodomain protein HLX is expressed primarily in cytotrophoblast cell types in the early human placenta. (2008) Reproduction, Fertility a (2) Murthi P, Doherty V, Said J, Donath S, Brennecke SP, Kalionis B. Homeobox gene HLX1 expression is decreased in idiopathic human fetal growth restriction. (2006) Am J Pathol. 2006 Feb;168(2):511–8. (3) Rajaraman G, Murthi P, Leo B, Brennecke SP, Kalionis B. Homeobox gene HLX1 is a regulator of colony stimulating factor-1 dependent cell proliferation. (2007) Placenta Volume 28, Issue 10, October

scholarly journals The role of insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor-mediated homeobox gene expression in human placental apoptosis, and its implications in idiopathic fetal growth restriction

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 572-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynda K Harris ◽  
Priyadarshini Pantham ◽  
Hannah E J Yong ◽  
Anita Pratt ◽  
Anthony J Borg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Growth Restriction ◽  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Trophoblast Cell

Abstract Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is caused by poor placental development and function early in gestation. It is well known that placentas from women with FGR exhibit reduced cell growth, elevated levels of apoptosis and perturbed expression of the growth factors, cytokines and the homeobox gene family of transcription factors. Previous studies have reported that insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF2) interacts with its receptor-2 (IGF2R) to regulate villous trophoblast survival and apoptosis. In this study, we hypothesized that human placental IGF2R-mediated homeobox gene expression is altered in FGR and contributes to abnormal trophoblast function. This study was designed to determine the association between IGF2R, homeobox gene expression and cell survival in pregnancies affected by FGR. Third trimester placentas were collected from FGR-affected pregnancies (n = 29) and gestation matched with control pregnancies (n = 30). Functional analyses were then performed in vitro using term placental explants (n = 4) and BeWo trophoblast cells. mRNA expression was determined by real-time PCR, while protein expression was examined by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. siRNA transfection was used to silence IGF2R expression in placental explants and the BeWo cell-line. cDNA arrays were used to screen for downstream targets of IGF2R, specifically homeobox gene transcription factors and apoptosis-related genes. Functional effects of silencing IGF2R were then verified by β-hCG ELISA, caspase activity assays and a real-time electrical cell-impedance assay for differentiation, apoptosis and cell growth potential, respectively. IGF2R expression was significantly decreased in placentas from pregnancies complicated by idiopathic FGR (P < 0.05 versus control). siRNA-mediated IGF2R knockdown in term placental explants and the trophoblast cell line BeWo resulted in altered expression of homeobox gene transcription factors, including increased expression of distal-less homeobox gene 5 (DLX5), and decreased expression of H2.0-Like Homeobox 1 (HLX) (P < 0.05 versus control). Knockdown of IGF2R transcription increased the expression and activity of caspase-6 and caspase-8 in placental explants, decreased BeWo proliferation and increased BeWo differentiation (all P < 0.05 compared to respective controls). This is the first study linking IGF2R placental expression with changes in the expression of homeobox genes that control cellular signalling pathways responsible for increased trophoblast cell apoptosis, which is a characteristic feature of FGR.

scholarly journals Homeobox Gene HLX1Expression Is Decreased in Idiopathic Human Fetal Growth Restriction

2006 ◽  
Vol 168 (2) ◽  
pp. 511-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Padma Murthi ◽  
Vicki Doherty ◽  
Joanne Said ◽  
Susan Donath ◽  
Shaun P. Brennecke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Growth Restriction ◽  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Growth Restriction

scholarly journals Aurora kinase mRNA expression is reduced with increasing gestational age and in severe early onset fetal growth restriction

Placenta ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 95 ◽  
pp. 53-61
Author(s):  
Sally Beard ◽  
Natasha Pritchard ◽  
Natalie Binder ◽  
Karen Schindler ◽  
Natasha De Alwis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Fetal Growth Restriction ◽  
Early Onset ◽  
Aurora Kinase ◽  
Growth Restriction

scholarly journals DAAM2 is elevated in the circulation and placenta in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction and is regulated by hypoxia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha de Alwis ◽  
Sally Beard ◽  
Natalie K. Binder ◽  
Natasha Pritchard ◽  
Tu’uhevaha J. Kaitu’u-Lino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Growth Restriction ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Oxidative Stress Marker ◽  
Small Interfering Rnas ◽  
Maternal Circulation ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

AbstractPreviously, we identified increased maternal circulating DAAM2 mRNA in pregnancies complicated by preterm fetal growth restriction (FGR). Here, we assessed whether circulating DAAM2 mRNA could detect FGR, and whether the DAAM2 gene, known to play roles in the Wnt signalling pathway is expressed in human placenta and associated with dysfunction and FGR. We performed linear regression analysis to calculate area under the ROC curve (AUC) for DAAM2 mRNA expression in the maternal circulation of pregnancies complicated by preterm FGR. DAAM2 mRNA expression was assessed across gestation by qPCR. DAAM2 protein and mRNA expression was assessed in preterm FGR placenta using western blot and qPCR. DAAM2 expression was assessed in term cytotrophoblasts and placental explant tissue cultured under hypoxic and normoxic conditions by qPCR. Small interfering RNAs were used to silence DAAM2 in term primary cytotrophoblasts. Expression of growth, apoptosis and oxidative stress genes were assessed by qPCR. Circulating DAAM2 mRNA was elevated in pregnancies complicated by preterm FGR [p < 0.0001, AUC = 0.83 (0.78–0.89)]. Placental DAAM2 mRNA was detectable across gestation, with highest expression at term. DAAM2 protein was increased in preterm FGR placentas but demonstrated no change in mRNA expression. DAAM2 mRNA expression was increased in cytotrophoblasts and placental explants under hypoxia. Silencing DAAM2 under hypoxia decreased expression of pro-survival gene, BCL2 and oxidative stress marker, NOX4, whilst increasing expression of antioxidant enzyme, HMOX-1. The increased DAAM2 associated with FGR and hypoxia implicates a potential role in placental dysfunction. Decreasing DAAM2 may have cytoprotective effects, but further research is required to elucidate its role in healthy and dysfunctional placentas.

201. Homeobox gene DLX3 regulates forskolin induced trophoblast differentiation

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
A. Chui ◽  
B. Kalionis ◽  
S. Brennecke ◽  
P. Murthi
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Fetal Growth Restriction ◽  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Trophoblast Cell ◽  
Trophoblast Differentiation ◽  
Human Trophoblast ◽  
Β Hcg

Trophoblast cells carry out important functions required for the development of the normal placenta. Disruption of these functions is associated with significant pregnancy disorders such as fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia. Transcription factors regulate trophoblast functions. We are interested in one such class of transcription factors known as homeobox genes. The homeobox gene Distal-less 3 (DLX3) plays a vital role in the development of the mouse placenta (Morasso, Grinberg et al. 1999) and increased levels of DLX3 have been found in placentae affected by human fetal growth restriction (Murthi and Chui, unpubl. data). However, the function of DLX3 in the human placenta is not well established. Here, we investigated whether DLX3 regulates trophoblast differentiation using a plasmid construct to overexpress DLX3 in the human trophoblast cell line, BeWo. Real-time PCR showed a significant increase in DLX3 mRNA (3.1 ± 0.1 v. 1.0 ± 0.2 control, P < 0.05, n = 3), as well as the mRNA of two known markers of differentiation 3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) (8.1 ± 1.8 v. 1.2 ± 0.1 control, P < 0.05, n = 3) and β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) (54.9 ± 0.9 v. 49.2 ± 1.6 control, P < 0.05, n = 3). Furthermore, forskolin mediated trophoblast differentiation was verified in BeWo cells. Following forskolin induction, real-time PCR showed a significant increase in the expression of DLX3 mRNA (12.9 ± 1.2 v. 3.8 ± 0.9 control, P < 0.05, n = 4), as well as a significant increase in the mRNA expression of the differentiation markers previously tested, 3β-HSD (28.3 ± 2.4 v. 1.0 ± 0.08 control, P < 0.05, n = 4) and β-hCG (2.3 ± 1.9 v. 30.9 ± 0.08 control, P < 0.001, n = 3). The expression of an additional differentiation marker, syncytin, was also significantly increased (4.0 ± 1.9 v. 1.0 ± 0.08 control, P < 0.05, n = 4). Thus, we have shown that DLX3 is a regulator of human trophoblast cell differentiation, and that forskolin acts through DLX3 to induce trophoblast differentiation. (1) Morasso, M. I., A. Grinberg et al. (1999).

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