title: Downregulation of Mitofusin 2 in Placenta Is Related to Preeclampsia.
abstract: Background. Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) is a novel mitochondrial protein that is implicated in cellular proliferation and metabolism; however, the role of Mfn2 in preeclampsia (PE) remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the relationship between Mfn2 and PE. Method. Preeclamptic and normal pregnancies were enrolled in a comparative study. The expression of Mfn2 in placenta was detected by qRT-PCR. And the mitochondrial function was detected by ATP assay. Then TEV-1 cells were cultured in hypoxic conditions. mRNA and protein expressions of Mfn2 were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot separately. Cells' viability was detected by MTT. And the mitochondrial function was detected by ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assay. We further knocked down the Mfn2 gene in TEV-1 cells and evaluated the cells' viability. Results. Mfn2 and ATP expressions were significantly decreased in preeclamptic placentae compared to normal placentae. Mfn2 expression level and the viability of TEV-1 cells were reduced during hypoxic conditions. TEV-1 cells' viability, ATP, and MMP levels were also significantly decreased after knockdown of the Mfn2 gene. Conclusions. These results suggest that defects in Mfn2 could cause mitochondrial dysfunction and decrease trophoblastic cells' viability. Therefore, Mfn2 may be functionally involved in the pathogenesis of PE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
authors.forename: Xijiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
authors.forename: Ruibao
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000473:pathology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; C470018:MFN2 protein, human