Benzo(a)pyrene inhibits migration and invasion of extravillous trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cells via activation of the ERK and JNK pathway

• Published in: Journal of applied toxicology 2016-07, Vol.36 (7), p.946-955
• Main Authors: Liu, Liyuan, Wang, Yingxiong, Shen, Cha, He, Junlin, Liu, Xueqing, Ding, Yubin, Gao, Rufei, Chen, Xuemei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apoptosis - drug effects; BaP; Benzo(a)pyrene - toxicity; Cadherins - genetics; Cadherins - metabolism; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell Line; Cell Movement - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Female; HTR-8/SVneo cell; Humans; invasion; MAP Kinase Signaling System; MAPK signaling pathway; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - metabolism; migration; Placenta - cytology; Placenta - drug effects; Placenta - metabolism; Pollutants; Pregnancy; Signal Transduction; Toxicity; Trophoblasts - cytology; Trophoblasts - drug effects
• ISSN: 0260-437X; 1099-1263
• DOI: 10.1002/jat.3227

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a persistent organic pollutant (POP) that is a serious threat to human health. Numerous studies have shown that BaP causes adverse effects in pregnancy, but the mechanism remains unclear. The moderate invasion of trophoblast cells into the endometrium is an important factor during successful embryo implantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of BaP on the invasion and migration of trophoblast cells. HTR‐8/SVneo cells were treated with different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 μM) of BaP. The invasion and migration of HTR‐8/SVneo cells were observed after BaP treatment. The protein levels related to migration and invasion was detected by Western blot. The results confirmed that BaP inhibits the migration and invasion of extravillous trophoblast HTR‐8/SVneo cells. Further investigations indicated that the protein levels of MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and E‐cadherin in HTR‐8/SVneo cells were changed by BaP treatment. Moreover, the data demonstrated that BaP activated the MAPK signaling pathway. Pretreatment with specific inhibitors of MAPK rescued BaP‐induced change in the migration and invasion of HTR‐8/SVneo cells. Taken together, our results indicated that BaP inhibits invasion and the migration of HTR‐8/SVneo cells, which might cause a failure in early pregnancy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The present study investigated the effect and mechanism of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) on the invasion and migration of extravillous trophoblast HTR‐8/SVneo cells. Treatment with BaP inhibited the migration and invasion of HTR‐8/SVneo cells and changed the protein levels of MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and E‐cadherin in cells. Moreover, BaP activated the MAPK signaling pathway. Pretreatment with specific inhibitors of MAPK rescued BaP‐induced change in the migration and invasion of HTR‐8/SVneo cells.