Activated Endothelial Cells Resist Displacement by Trophoblast In Vitro

• Published in: Placenta (Eastbourne) 2007-07, Vol.28 (7), p.743-747
• Main Authors: Chen, Q, Stone, P.R, McCowan, L.M.E, Chamley, L.W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activation; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Line; Coculture Techniques; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Endothelial cell; Endothelial Cells - cytology; Endothelial Cells - drug effects; Endothelial Cells - physiology; Endothelium, Vascular - cytology; Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Endothelium, Vascular - physiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Implantation; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 - analysis; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 - metabolism; Interferon-gamma - pharmacology; Internal Medicine; Invasion; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Trophoblast; Trophoblasts - cytology; Trophoblasts - physiology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0143-4004; 1532-3102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2006.10.004

Abstract Background Transformation of the spiral arteries by invading trophoblasts is an essential prerequisite to the development of a healthy fully grown fetus. Reduced transformation of the spiral arteries is a characteristic feature of pregnancies complicated by several diseases of pregnancy including preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to investigate further the hypothesis that spiral artery endothelial cells can contribute to the mechanism of shallow trophoblast invasion. Method Fluorescently labeled Jar cells were added to monolayers of fluorescently-labeled endothelial cells that had been activated by treatment with TNFα, INFγ or necrotic cell bodies. The ability of the Jars to displace endothelial cells from the monolayers was quantified by measuring the area of Jar cells “islands” formed in the endothelial cell monolayers by confocal microscopy and digital image. Results The area of Jar cell islands formed in monolayers of activated endothelial cells was significantly smaller that the area of islands formed in control resting/non-activated endothelial cell monolayers regardless of the activator. Discussion This work demonstrates that activated endothelial cells are more resistant to trophoblast displacement than resting endothelial cells and adds weight to the suggestion that endothelial cells could contribute to shallow invasion of the spiral arteries by trophoblasts in diseases such as preeclampsia.