Study of thromboxane and prostacyclin metabolism in an in vitro model of first-trimester human trophoblast.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to establish an in vitro tissue culture system to study eicosanoid metabolism in first-trimester trophoblastic tissue. Thromboxane A2, a potent vasoconstrictor, and prostacyclin, a potent vasodilator, were analyzed to evaluate their production in early pregnancy.


METHODS
Trophoblastic tissue was obtained via transabdominal chorionic villous sampling from 33 pregnancies at 9 to 12 weeks' gestation for cytogenetic diagnosis. Initially, tissue obtained from the cytogenetics lab was morphologically consistent with villous core cells. Through altering cell density and passage, the cells became morphologically consistent with cytotrophoblasts. The cell lines were exposed to arachidonic acid (50 mumol/L) and aspirin (1 to 100 mumol/L) for 24 hours. Thromboxane B2 and 6-keto prostaglandin F2 alpha were measured by radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
Villous core cells and cytotrophoblasts increased production of thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin in the presence of arachidonic acid (p < 0.002). The villous core cells produced more thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin than cytotrophoblasts (p < 0.02). A significant inhibition of both thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin production was seen in the presence of 100 mumol/L aspirin in both cell types (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This model may be useful for studying placental function in the first trimester because individual placental compartments can be evaluated in tissue culture. At the cellular level we were not able to detect a preferential decrease in thromboxane A2 production in the presence of aspirin (1 to 100 mumol/L).
Diss
E M
EM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus 43210.
Gabbe
S G
SG
Moore
J W
JW
Kniss
D A
DA
D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013931:Thromboxanes / Q000378:metabolism*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*
D013931:Thromboxanes; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D013929:Thromboxane B2; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D011464:Epoprostenol; D001241:Aspirin