Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2025
05:30
Trophoblast Cell Recovery from Angiogenesis-Tube Formation Assay for Differentiation Marker Expression Analysis
Published on: November 8, 2024
391
Semaphorin 4A Maintains Trophoblastic Function via Activating the STAT3 Pathway.
Taotao Hou1,2,3, Pingping Zhang2, Haishen Tian2
1Graduate School of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China.
Biomolecules
|July 27, 2024
Summary
Reduced semaphorin 4A (SEMA4A) expression in early pregnancy is linked to missed abortion. SEMA4A promotes trophoblast cell growth and survival, suggesting its importance in healthy pregnancy development.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Trophoblast cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis are vital for successful pregnancy maintenance at the maternal-fetal interface.
- Dysregulation of trophoblast cell function can lead to pregnancy complications like missed abortion (MA).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of semaphorin 4A (SEMA4A) in missed abortion villi compared to normal early pregnancy villi.
- To explore the role of SEMA4A in regulating trophoblast cell behavior and its potential involvement in missed abortion.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of SEMA4A expression in villus samples from missed abortion (n=18) and normal early pregnancy (n=18) groups.
- In vitro studies to assess the effects of SEMA4A on trophoblast cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis.
- Examination of SEMA4A's regulatory influence on key signaling pathways and proteins (p-STAT3/STAT3, MMP9, bcl-2, BAX).
Main Results:
- A statistically significant decrease in SEMA4A expression was observed in the villi of individuals with missed abortion compared to the control group.
- In vitro experiments demonstrated that SEMA4A promotes trophoblast cell migration and proliferation while inhibiting apoptosis.
- SEMA4A was found to potentially regulate p-STAT3/STAT3, MMP9, bcl-2, and BAX levels.
Conclusions:
- Decreased semaphorin 4A (SEMA4A) levels in chorionic villi are correlated with missed abortion.
- SEMA4A plays a crucial role in supporting trophoblast cell function, essential for proper embryo implantation and development at the maternal-fetal interface.
- These findings provide new theoretical insights into the pathogenesis of missed abortion and the function of SEMA4A in early pregnancy.
Related Concept Videos
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
7.3K
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
7.3K
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
8.8K
Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as SH2...
8.8K
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
7.3K
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
7.3K
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
2.2K
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
2.2K
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
2.5K
Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl...
2.5K
01:22PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
3.5K
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast, mTORC2 consists of a...
3.5K