Stimulation of hCG protein and mRNA in first trimester villous cytotrophoblast cells in vitro by glycodelin A.
OBJECTIVE
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by fetal trophoblast cells and secreted into maternal circulation mainly in the first trimester of pregnancy. Another glycoprotein, glycodelin A, is one of the main products of the maternal decidua during this period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of glycodelin A on hCG release by isolated cytotrophoblast cells in vitro.


METHODS
Cytotrophoblast cells were prepared from human first trimester placenta and incubated with varying concentrations of glycodelin A. Supernatants were assayed for hCG protein concentrations, and quantification of beta hCG mRNA was carried out by RT-PCR. Expression of hCG was analysed in stimulated trophoblast cells and in unstimulated controls by immunocytochemistry.


RESULTS
Glycodelin A induces a dose-dependent increase of hCG production. An increase of hCG expression was measured at 100 and 200 microg/mL glycodelin-A treatment in trophoblast cell culture by TaqMan assay on mRNA level. We found a moderate staining of hCG in control trophoblast cells, whereas a strong hCG staining was seen in glycodelin A-treated trophoblast cells.


CONCLUSIONS
HCG is a marker for the differentiation process of trophoblast cells. Our results suggest that glycodelin A secreted by the decidualized endometrium is involved in the regulation of hormones produced by the trophoblast.
Jeschke
Udo
U
Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Munich, Germany. udo.jeschke@fk-i.med.uni-muenchen.de
Karsten
Uwe
U
Reimer
Toralf
T
Richter
Dagmar-Ulrike
DU
Bergemann
Claudia
C
Briese
Volker
V
Mylonas
Ioannis
I
Friese
Klaus
K
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism*; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000378:metabolism*; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077278:RNA, Mitochondrial; D012016:Reference Values; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins; C045246:PAEP protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D000077278:RNA, Mitochondrial; D012313:RNA