title: Regulation of FasL/Fas in human trophoblasts: possible implications for chorioamnionitis.
abstract: Chorioamnionitis is a common cause of premature birth and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the mother and infant. Preterm birth shares similarities with rejection of the fetal allograft, which is characterized by increased apoptosis of placental trophoblasts. We hypothesized that there is increased trophoblast apoptosis in chorioamnionitis and that this increased apoptosis is mediated by the Fas ligand (FasL)/Fas pathway. To test our hypothesis, we examined placental villous tissues from patients with chorioamnionitis and used the TUNEL assay to demonstrate enhanced trophoblast apoptosis in patients with chorioamnionitis. When the same samples were stained for Fas, there was increased trophoblast Fas expression in patients with chorioamnionitis. To define the mechanisms responsible for this increase in trophoblast apoptosis, we cultured villous explants from uncomplicated term placentas with proinflammatory cytokines and demonstrated a marked increase in trophoblast apoptosis. By blocking FasL, we reduced tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced and interferon gamma-induced apoptosis. These data suggest that chorioamnionitis is associated with increased trophoblast apoptosis and enhanced trophoblast Fas expression. As a complement to our in vivo study, we demonstrated that cytokine-induced trophoblast apoptosis is mediated in part by the FasL/Fas pathway, suggesting that cytokines promote sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis. These mechanisms may be important in perpetuating inflammation in the placental microenvironment and may contribute to the pathogenesis of chorioamnionitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology and Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. dbalkundi@mail.magee.edu
authors.forename: Dhruv R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Balkundi
authors.forename: Judy A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.forename: Jon F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Watchko
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Craven
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trucco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019014:fas Receptor; D007371:Interferon-gamma