Gal-1 silenced trophoblast tumor cells (BeWo) show decreased syncytium formation and different miRNA production compared to non-target silenced BeWo cells

• Published in: Cell adhesion & migration 2016-03, Vol.10 (1-2), p.28-38
• Main Authors: Hutter, Stefan, Morales-Prieto, Diana M., Andergassen, Ulrich, Tschakert, Lisa, Kuhn, Christina, Hofmann, Simone, Markert, Udo R., Jeschke, Udo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: beta Catenin - metabolism; BeWo; Cadherins - metabolism; Cell Fusion; Cell Line, Tumor; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Galectin 1 - genetics; Galectin 1 - metabolism; galectin-1; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Gene Silencing; Giant Cells - metabolism; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; MicroRNAs - biosynthesis; MicroRNAs - genetics; miRNA; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Research Paper; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Solubility; Staining and Labeling; syncytium formation; Trophoblastic Neoplasms - genetics; Trophoblastic Neoplasms - pathology; Trophoblasts
• ISSN: 1933-6918; 1933-6926
• DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2015.1089377

Galectin-1 (gal-1), a member of the mammalian β-galactoside-binding proteins, exerts biological effects by recognition of glycan ligands, including those involved in cell adhesion and growth regulation. In previous studies, we demonstrated that gal-1 induces cell differentiation processes on the membrane of choriocarcinoma cells BeWo, including the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) REarranged during Transfection (RET), Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) and Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3). Furthermore, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPK) and serine/threonine kinases were phosphorylated by gal-1. In addition, gal-1 in trophoblast cells in vitro induced syncytium formation especially after concentration dependent stimulation of the cells with this galectin. This is in contrast to MAPK-inhibitor U0126 that reduced syncytium formation of BeWo cells. The aim of this study was to analyze the syncytium formation abilities of BeWo cells that were gal-1 silenced. We found a significantly reduced syncytium formation rate in gal-1 silenced BeWo cells. In addition, these cells show a different miRNA expression profile. In summary, we found that gal-1 is a major trigger for fusion processes in BeWo cells. This function is accompanied by different regulation of miRNA synthesis in the BeWo cell culture model.