title: Cell fusion mediates dramatic alterations in the actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesions, and E-cadherin in trophoblastic cells.
abstract: The syncytiotrophoblast of the human placenta is a unique epithelia structure with millions of nuclei sharing a common cytoplasm. The syncytiotrophoblast forms by cell-cell fusion of cytotrophoblasts (CTB), the mononuclear precursor cells. The trophoblastic BeWo cell line has been used as a surrogate for CTB since they can be induced to fuse, and subsequently display numerous syncytiotrophoblast differentiation markers following syncytial formation. In this study, we have focused on alterations in the cell-adhesion molecule E-cadherin, actin cytoskeleton, and focal adhesions following BeWo cell fusion, since these entities may be interrelated. There was a dramatic reorganization of the distribution of E-cadherin as well as a reduction in the amount of E-cadherin following cell fusion. Reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton was also observed, which was associated with a change in the globular actin (G-actin)/filamentous actin (F-actin) ratio. Concomitantly, the morphology of focal adhesions was altered, but this occurred without a corresponding change in the levels of focal adhesion marker proteins. Thus, extensive remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesions accompanies cell fusion and differentiation and appears related to alterations in E-cadherin in trophoblastic cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Waka
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Omata
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Ackerman
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takeshita
authors.forename: Dale D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Vandré
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010590:Phalloidine / Q000378:metabolism; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D010590:Phalloidine; D005576:Colforsin; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
keywords: BeWo cells; E-cadherin; actin cytoskeleton; cell fusion; differentiation; focal adhesion; trophoblasts