Effects of low-molecular-weight and unfractionated heparin on trophoblast function.
OBJECTIVE
Unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin and low-dose aspirin are used for the prevention of pregnancy loss in pregnant women with thrombophilia. We investigated the effect of these drugs on in vitro models of human extravillous trophoblast motility and differentiation.


METHODS
Chorion from term placentas was digested and extravillous trophoblast isolated. Extravillous trophoblast formed giant multinuclear cells that were counted after 24, 36, and 48 hours of culture. This model was then used to investigate the effect of unfractionated, low-molecular-weight heparin and aspirin on in vitro extravillous trophoblast differentiation at both therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses. In addition, the effect of unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin on hepatocyte growth factor-stimulated SGHPL-4 cell (extravillous trophoblast cell line) motility was determined by time-lapse microscopy.


RESULTS
At therapeutic doses unfractionated heparin promoted extravillous trophoblast differentiation. However, low-molecular-weight heparin inhibited giant multinuclear cells formation. At supratherapeutic doses, both low-molecular-weight and unfractionated heparin promoted extravillous trophoblast differentiation. Low-dose aspirin had minimal effects on the extravillous trophoblast differentiation. Both unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin inhibited hepatocyte growth factor-stimulated extravillous trophoblast motility at supratherapeutic doses. At a therapeutic dose of 0.25 IU/mL, only unfractionated heparin inhibited hepatocyte growth factor-stimulated motility, whereas low-molecular-weight heparin had no effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin have differing effects on trophoblast differentiation and motility at therapeutic doses. This finding may be one of many factors that contribute to the clinical scenario.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom. squenby@liv.ac.uk
Siobhan
S
Quenby
Steve
S
Mountfield
Judith E
JE
Cartwright
Guy St J
GS
Whitley
Gill
G
Vince
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D001241:Aspirin