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In Vitro Assays to Evaluate the Migration, Invasion, and Proliferation of Immortalized Human First-trimester Trophoblast Cell Lines
Published on: March 5, 2019
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Human trophoblast requires galectin-3 for cell migration and invasion
Ž Bojić-Trbojević1, M Jovanović Krivokuća1, A Vilotić1
1Laboratory for Biology of Reproduction, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade, Banatska 31b, 11080, Belgrade, Serbia.
Scientific Reports
|February 16, 2019
Summary
Galectin-3 promotes human trophoblast cell invasion and migration. Inhibiting galectin-3 reduced invasion, while adding it back restored this function, highlighting its role in placental development.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Cell biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Invasive extravillous trophoblast cells are crucial for human placental development.
- Galectins, particularly galectin-3, are expressed in these cells, suggesting a potential role in their function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of galectin-3 in trophoblast cell migration and invasion.
- To determine if galectin-3 acts as a pro-invasive factor in vitro.
Main Methods:
- Utilized recombinant human galectin-3 (rhgalectin-3), a galectin inhibitor (I47), and galectin-3 silencing (siRNA) in HTR-8/SVneo cells.
- Assessed cell migration and invasion, and measured levels of MMPs and integrins.
Main Results:
- rhgalectin-3 enhanced HTR-8/SVneo cell migration; inhibitor I47 reduced migration and invasion, effects reversible by rhgalectin-3.
- Galectin-3 silencing significantly decreased cell migration and invasion.
- Silencing galectin-3 led to reduced MMP2/9 levels and integrin subunit β1 expression.
Conclusions:
- Galectin-3 functions as a pro-invasive autocrine/paracrine factor in human trophoblast cells.
- These findings elucidate a key mechanism regulating trophoblast invasion during placental development.
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