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Updated: May 19, 2026
In Vitro Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Trophoblastic Cells
Published on: March 16, 2017
Trophoblastic cell lines ACH1P and AC-1M32 react with a distinctive cytokine pattern toward Listeria monocytogenes
Laura Santoso1, Klaus Friese, Udo Jeschke
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
Insights
The syncytium-forming ACH1P cell line effectively responded to Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infection by producing key cytokines. The non-syncytial AC-1M32 cells showed a suppressed immune response to LM, highlighting differential trophoblast cell line reactions.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Infectious disease pathology
- Cell biology
Background:
- The differential response of cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells to Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is crucial for understanding placental infection.
- Previous research indicates varying susceptibility and responses of trophoblast subtypes to pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytokine signature of two related human trophoblast cell lines, AC-1M32 and ACH1P, upon in vitro infection with Listeria monocytogenes (LM).
- To compare the immune response of a syncytium-forming cell line (ACH1P) versus a non-syncytium-forming cell line (AC-1M32) to LM.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two distinct human trophoblast cell lines: AC-1M32 (non-fusogenic) and ACH1P (syncytium-forming).
- Infected cell lines with LM and analyzed cytokine concentrations (including IL-6, MCP-1, TGFβ1) at 8 and 24 hours using Multi-Analyte ELISArray.
- Confirmed syncytium formation in ACH1P using E-Cadherin immunofluorescence staining.
Main Results:
- The syncytial ACH1P cell line demonstrated significant induction of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1), and transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ1) post-LM infection.
- The non-syncytial AC-1M32 cell line exhibited significantly reduced IL-6 levels and a substantial increase (~300-fold) in TGFβ1 secretion compared to unstimulated controls.
- Differential cytokine profiles were observed between the two cell lines, indicating distinct responses to LM.
Conclusions:
- Only the syncytium-forming ACH1P cell line successfully induced a functional anti-LM immune response.
- The distinct responses of AC-1M32 and ACH1P cell lines to LM highlight their differing roles in placental infection.
- This in vitro model using sister trophoblast cell lines offers a valuable tool for studying placental listeriosis.
Problem:
The differential reaction of cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast towards infection with listeria monocytogenes (LM) is pivotal to its pathogenicity. In this study we tested the cytokine signature upon infection with listeria monocytogenes (LM) in an in vitro model.
Method Of Study:
We compared two related trophoblastic cell lines (AC-1M32 and ACH1P). The cell line ACH1P showed syncytium formation, whereas AC-1M32 did not fuse, as demonstrated with immunfluorescence E-Cadherin staining. In a Multi-Analyte ELISArray we tested for concentrations of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-8, MCP1, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, MDC, Eotaxin, IFNγ, G-CSF, TGFβ1 after 8 and 24 hours.
Results:
Compared to unstimulated cells, the syncytial cell line ACH1P showed a significant induction of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1) and transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ1). Incubating AC-1M32 with LM, however, showed significantly reduced IL-6 levels and a massively increased (~300fold) TGFβ1 secretion compared to unstimulated controls.
Conclusions:
A functional anti-LM immune response was only induced by the syncytium-forming cell line ACH1P. Using the two sister cell lines AC-1M32 and ACH1P in an in vitro LM-stimulation assay might facilitate research in the area of placental listeria infection.
