title: TGF-β1 up-regulates connexin43 expression: a potential mechanism for human trophoblast cell differentiation.
abstract: Connexin43 (Cx43)-mediated gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) are required for human trophoblast differentiation. To date, whether Cx43 mediates TGF-β1-induced trophoblast differentiation has not been determined. We showed that treatment with TGF-β1 increased Cx43 expression and GJIC in HTR-8/SVneo human trophoblast cells. In addition, Smad and ERK1/2 signaling pathways were involved in TGF-β1-induced up-regulation of Cx43. Moreover, TGF-β1 increased the expression of the syncytiotrophoblast marker, β-hCG. Importantly, knockdown of Cx43 abolished the TGF-β1-induced up-regulation of β-hCG. Furthermore, overexpression of Cx43 up-regulated β-hCG expression. These results provide evidence that Cx43 and GJIC activity are up-regulated by TGF-β1 in human trophoblast cells, which subsequently contributes to TGF-β1-induced trophoblast differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Child & Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Jung-Chien
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Hsun-Ming
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Lanlan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Ying-Pu
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Peter C K
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; C500216:GJA1 protein, human; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases