TRIM28-mediated p53 ubiquitination inhibits trophoblast apoptosis to support normal placental development

Tripartite motif-containing 28 (TRIM28), a transcriptional regulatory factor, is involved in various biological processes. However, its role in early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE) remains unclear. An EOPE mouse model was established using Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), while TRIM28 or tumor protein p53 (p53) expression was modulated through lentiviral infections. Maternal blood pressure and urinary protein levels were measured. Placental tissues were collected at embryonic day 17.5 for hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In vitro, HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to simulate oxidative stress. TRIM28 and p53 were overexpressed via lentiviral vectors, and cell apoptosis and molecular changes were assessed. TRIM28 expression was significantly downregulated in placentas from EOPE mice. Mechanistically, TRIM28 suppressed p53 level, downregulating pro-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3, while upregulating the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). In trophoblast cells, TRIM28 alleviated H₂O₂-induced apoptosis by promoting p53 ubiquitination and thereby reducing its pro-apoptotic activity. TRIM28 attenuates oxidative stress-induced trophoblast apoptosis and may help protect against the development of EOPE.