title: PPARgamma/RXRalpha heterodimers control human trophoblast invasion.
abstract: The ligand-dependent nuclear receptors PPARgamma and RXRalpha/beta were recently determined to be essential for murine placental development and trophoblast differentiation. In the current study we examined the expression and role of the PPARgamma/RXRalpha heterodimers in human invasive trophoblasts. We first report that in human first trimester placenta, PPARgamma and RXRalpha are highly expressed in cytotrophoblasts at the feto-maternal interface, especially in the extravillous cytotrophoblasts involved in uterus invasion. The coexpression of PPARgamma and RXRalpha genes in extravillous cytotrophoblast nuclei were then confirmed by immunocytochemistry, immunoblot, and real-time quantitative PCR using cultured purified primary extravillous cytotrophoblasts. We next examined, using the extravillous cytotrophoblast culture model, the biological role of PPARgamma/RXRalpha heterodimers in vitro, and we showed that both synthetic (rosiglitazone) and natural [15-deoxy-delta-(12,14)PGJ(2)] PPARgamma agonists inhibit extravillous cytotrophoblast invasion in a concentration-dependent manner and synergize with pan-RXR agonists. Conversely, PPARgamma or pan-RXR antagonists promoted extravillous cytotrophoblast invasion. Furthermore, the pan-RXR antagonist abolished the inhibitory effect of the PPARgamma agonists. Together these data underscore an important function of PPARgamma/RXRalpha heterodimers in the modulation of trophoblast invasion.
authors.affiliation: INSERM, U-427, Faculté de Pharmacie, 75006 Paris, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarrade
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schoonjans
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pavan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Auwerx
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rochette-Egly
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Evain-Brion
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fournier
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019281:Dimerization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D047488:Retinoid X Receptors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D047488:Retinoid X Receptors; D014157:Transcription Factors