CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis in placenta tissues of patients with placenta previa

CXCR4 and CXCR7 have been revealed to be receptors of CXCL12. This research was designed to probe the expression of chemokine CXCL12 and its receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7 in placental tissues of patients with placenta previa and the effect of CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis on the biological functions of human trophoblast cells. CXCL12, CXCR4, and CXCR7 expression in placental tissue from patients with placenta previa and healthy puerperae was detected. CXCL12, CXCR4, and CXCR7 expression in human trophoblast cell lines (HTR8/SVneo cells) was assessed after suppression or overexpression of CXCL12, CXCR4, and CXCR7. The cell proliferative, invasive, and migratory capacities were also evaluated in HTR8/SVneo cells after suppression or overexpression of CXCL12, CXCR4, and CXCR7. CXCL12, CXCR4, and CXCR7 expression was elevated in placental tissues from patients with placenta previa. Downregulation of CXCL12, CXCR4, and CXCR7 could lead to decreased mRNA levels of CXCL12, CXCR4, and CXCR7 in HTR-8/SVneo cells, which was accompanied by diminished cell proliferative, migratory, and invasive capabilities. Overexpression of CXCL12, CXCR4, and CXCR7 genes presented an opposite tendency. CXCL12, CXCR4, and CXCR7 are highly expressed in placental tissues of patients with placenta previa and induce the biological activities of HTR8/SVneo cells.