title: Involvement of connexin 43 in human trophoblast cell fusion and differentiation.
abstract: The syncytiotrophoblast is the principal component of the human placenta involved in feto-maternal exchanges and hormone secretion. The syncytiotrophoblast arises from the fusion of villous cytotrophoblasts. We recently showed that functional gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is an important prerequisite for syncytiotrophoblast formation and that connexin 43 (Cx43) is present in cytotrophoblasts and in the syncytiotrophoblast. To determine whether Cx43 is directly involved in trophoblast fusion, we used an antisense strategy in primary cultures of human villous cytotrophoblasts that spontaneously differentiate into the syncytiotrophoblast by cell fusion. We assessed the morphological and functional differentiation of trophoblasts by desmoplakin immunostaining, by quantifying hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) production and by measuring the expression of specific trophoblast genes (hCG and HERV-W). Furthermore, we used the gap-FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) method to investigate functional GJIC. Cytotrophoblasts treated with Cx43 antisense aggregated and fused poorly. Furthermore, less HERV-W env mRNA, hCGbeta mRNA and hCG secretion were detected in Cx43 antisense-treated cytotrophoblasts than in cells treated with scrambled antisense. Treatment with Cx43 antisense dramatically reduced the percentage of coupled trophoblast cells. Taken together, these results suggest that Cx43 is directly involved in human trophoblast cell-cell communication, fusion and differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U427, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Frendo
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cronier
authors.forename: Gwladys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertin
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guibourdenche
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vidaud
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Evain-Brion
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malassine
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000378:metabolism; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051180:Desmoplakins; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D036681:Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000494:pharmacology; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D018031:Connexin 43; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C495294:DSP protein, human; D051180:Desmoplakins; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense