RRC ID 82731
Author Togo A, Mitsuzuka K, Hanawa S, Nakajima R, Izumi K, Sato K, Ishimoto H.
Title Downregulation of SPARC Expression Enhances the Fusion of BeWo Choriocarcinoma Cells.
Journal Reprod Sci
Abstract Syncytiotrophoblasts, which are formed by the fusion of villous cytotrophoblasts, play an essential role in maintaining a successful pregnancy. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a non-structural Ca2+-binding extracellular matrix glycoprotein involved in tissue remodeling and cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Previous studies have revealed that SPARC is expressed in villous and extravillous cytotrophoblasts in the first trimester and that RNA interference targeted at SPARC significantly inhibited invasion of human extravillous trophoblast HTR8/SVneo cells. However, the involvement of SPARC in cytotrophoblast fusion remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of SPARC in cytotrophoblast fusion, using the BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line as a model of villous cytotrophoblasts. Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted to assess SPARC expression in normal human placentas using placental tissues obtained during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. We investigated the effects of SPARC knockdown on trophoblast differentiation markers and cell fusion in BeWo cells using small interfering RNA. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that SPARC expression was high in the early gestational chorionic villi and low in the late gestational chorionic villi. SPARC knockdown increased the expressions of human chorionic gonadotropin and Ovo-like transcriptional repressor 1; however, glial cells missing transcription factor 1, syncytin-1, and syncytin-2 showed no significant changes. The assessment revealed that SPARC knockdown significantly enhanced cell fusion compared to the non-silencing control. Our data suggest that SPARC plays a vital role in regulating trophoblast fusion and differentiation during placental development.
Volume 31(8)
Pages 2342-2353
Published 2024-8-1
DOI 10.1007/s43032-024-01563-2
PII 10.1007/s43032-024-01563-2
PMID 38728000
MeSH Cell Differentiation Cell Fusion* Cell Line, Tumor Choriocarcinoma* / genetics Choriocarcinoma* / metabolism Choriocarcinoma* / pathology Down-Regulation* Female Humans Osteonectin* / genetics Osteonectin* / metabolism Placenta / metabolism Pregnancy Trophoblasts* / metabolism
Resource
Human and Animal Cells BeWo8RCB1644)