title: Trophoblast-derived chemokine CXCL12 promotes CXCR4 expression and invasion of human first-trimester decidual stromal cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12/chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCL12/CXCR4) axis on the crosstalk between human first-trimester trophoblast cells (TCs) and decidual stromal cells (DSCs), to contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms on the interaction between the mother and embryo during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  CXCR4 on human first-trimester DSC membranes was detected by flow cytometry. The effects of exogenous CXCL12 or TC-conditioned medium (TCM) on proliferation and invasion of DSCs were examined by measuring proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and an invasion assay, respectively. Finally, a co-culture model was established to investigate the effect of CXCL12 secreted from TCs on motility of DSCs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (±SEM) percentage of DSCs positive for CXCR4 was 32.32 ± 7.18%. Human recombinant CXCL12 induced an increase in CXCR4 levels on DSCs via binding to CXCR4 (P < 0.01) but had no effect on the PCNA expression of DSCs. Moreover, both exogenous CXCL12 and TCM reinforced the invasive ability of DSCs via CXCR4 ligation. A co-culture model further confirmed that the enhanced invasiveness of DSCs in co-culture with TCs was inhibited by anti-CXCR4 or anti-CXCL12 neutralizing antibody (both P< 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Human first-trimester DSCs express membrane CXCR4 and TC-derived CXCL12 promotes CXCR4 expression and invasion of DSCs via ligation with CXCR4. Our data highlight the role of CXCL12/CXCR4 axis on the co-operation between TCs and DSCs during human first-trimester pregnancy.
authors: Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China. wenhh_fr@yahoo.com.cn
authors: Liang
authors: L
authors: Ren
authors: Yong-Qiao
authors: YQ
authors: Liu
authors: Wen-Hui
authors: WH
authors: Zhou
authors: Yuan-Zhen
authors: YZ
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010929:Placentation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; C515255:CXCL12 protein, human; C527276:CXCR4 protein, human; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; D011994:Recombinant Proteins