Gene expression patterns associated with human placental trophoblast differentiation

• Published in: Clinica chimica acta 2019-08, Vol.495, p.637-645
• Main Authors: Jiang, Shi-Wen, Zhou, Wei, Wang, Jianhao, Little, Lauren M., Leaphart, Lynn, Jay, Jacob, Igbinigie, Eseosaserea, Chen, Haibin, Li, Jinping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cDNA microarray; Cell fusion; Placental trophoblast; Syncytiotrophoblast
• ISSN: 0009-8981; 1873-3492
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.01.012

Cell fusion is a hallmark of placental trophoblast cell differentiation and the mature syncytiotrophoblasts play essential roles for fetal-maternal exchange and production of pregnancy-related hormones. Using a well-established in vitro trophoblast differentiation model, we performed a microarray analysis on mRNA expression in trophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cell cultures. Dramatic changes in gene expression patterns were detected during trophoblast differentiation. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed the reliability of the microarray data. As many as 3524 novel and known genes have been found to be up- or down-regulated for >2-fold. A number of cell cycle regulator including CDC6, CDC20, Cyclins B2, L1 and E2, were down-regulated in the syncytiotrophoblast, providing a mechanism for the loss of mitotic activity during trophoblast differentiation. Further characterization on the identified genes may lead to better understanding of placental patho-physiology in obstetric diseases such as preeclampsia. •Dramatic changes in gene expression patterns found along trophoblast differentiation•3524 novel and known genes were found to be up- or down-regulated for >2-fold•Cell cycle regulators were down-regulated, consistent with the lack of mitotic activity, in the syncytiotrophoblasts