The fully linked HTML version of this article has now been published.
JCS ePress
online publication date 2 Jul 2003
doi: 10.1242/jcs.00648
Research Article
Involvement of connexin 43 in human trophoblast cell fusion and differentiation
Jean-Louis Frendo,
Laurent Cronier,
Gwladys Bertin,
Jean Guibourdenche,
Michel Vidaud,
Danièle Evain-Brion,
and
André Malassiné*
* Author for correspondence (e-mail: amalassi{at}pharmacie.univ-paris5.fr)
The syncytiotrophoblast is the principal component of the human placenta involved in feto-maternal exchanges and hormone secretion. The syncytiotrophoblast arises from the fusion of villous cytotrophoblasts. We recently showed that functional gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is an important prerequisite for syncytiotrophoblast formation and that connexin 43 (Cx43) is present in cytotrophoblasts and in the syncytiotrophoblast. To determine whether Cx43 is directly involved in trophoblast fusion, we used an antisense strategy in primary cultures of human villous cytotrophoblasts that spontaneously differentiate into the syncytiotrophoblast by cell fusion. We assessed the morphological and functional differentiation of trophoblasts by desmoplakin immunostaining, by quantifying hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) production and by measuring the expression of specific trophoblast genes (hCG and HERV-W). Furthermore, we used the gap-FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) method to investigate functional GJIC. Cytotrophoblasts treated with Cx43 antisense aggregated and fused poorly. Furthermore, less HERV-W env mRNA, hCG
mRNA and hCG secretion were detected in Cx43 antisense-treated cytotrophoblasts than in cells treated with scrambled antisense. Treatment with Cx43 antisense dramatically reduced the percentage of coupled trophoblast cells. Taken together, these results suggest that Cx43 is directly involved in human trophoblast cell-cell communication, fusion and differentiation.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
G. Pidoux, P. Gerbaud, O. Marpeau, J. Guibourdenche, F. Ferreira, J. Badet, D. Evain-Brion, and J.-L. Frendo
Human Placental Development Is Impaired by Abnormal Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Signaling in Trisomy 21 Pregnancies
Endocrinology,
November 1, 2007;
148(11):
5403 - 5413.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. H. Lamers and S. E. Kohler
How much intimacy is compatible with survival for a cardiomyocyte?
Cardiovasc Res,
October 1, 2005;
68(1):
1 - 2.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C Niger, A Malassine, and L Cronier
Calcium channels activated by endothelin-1 in human trophoblast
J. Physiol.,
December 1, 2004;
561(2):
449 - 458.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A.J.G. Potgens, S. Drewlo, M. Kokozidou, and P. Kaufmann
Syncytin: the major regulator of trophoblast fusion? Recent developments and hypotheses on its action
Hum. Reprod. Update,
November 1, 2004;
10(6):
487 - 496.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Gellhaus, X. Dong, S. Propson, K. Maass, L. Klein-Hitpass, M. Kibschull, O. Traub, K. Willecke, B. Perbal, S. J. Lye, et al.
Connexin43 Interacts with NOV: A POSSIBLE MECHANISM FOR NEGATIVE REGULATION OF CELL GROWTH IN CHORIOCARCINOMA CELLS
J. Biol. Chem.,
August 27, 2004;
279(35):
36931 - 36942.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I. Knerr, B. Huppertz, C. Weigel, J. Dotsch, C. Wich, R.L. Schild, M.W. Beckmann, and W. Rascher
Endogenous retroviral syncytin: compilation of experimental research on syncytin and its possible role in normal and disturbed human placentogenesis
Mol. Hum. Reprod.,
August 1, 2004;
10(8):
581 - 588.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
© The Company of Biologists Ltd 2003
