Human cytotrophoblasts acquire aneuploidies as they differentiate to an invasive phenotype.
Through an unusual differentiation process, human trophoblast progenitors (cytotrophoblasts) give rise to tumor-like cells that invade the uterus. By an unknown mechanism, invasive cytotrophoblasts exhibit permanent cell cycle withdrawal. Here, we report molecular cytogenetic data showing that approximately 20 to 60% of these interphase cells had acquired aneusomies involving chromosomes X, Y, or 16. The incidence positively correlated with gestational age and differentiation to an invasive phenotype. Scoring 12 chromosomes in flow-sorted cytotrophoblasts showed that more than 95% of the cells were hyperdiploid. Thus, aneuploidy appears to be an important component of normal placentation, perhaps limiting the proliferative and invasive potential of cytotrophoblasts within the uterus.
Weier
Jingly F
JF
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0720, USA.
Weier
Heinz-Ulrich G
HU
Jung
Christine J
CJ
Gormley
Matthew
M
Zhou
Yan
Y
Chu
Lisa W
LW
Genbacev
Olga
O
Wright
Alexi A
AA
Fisher
Susan J
SJ
D000782:Aneuploidy; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002885:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D010641:Phenotype; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*