U. Jeschke, G. Gundel, H. Müller, D.-U. Richter, A. Streu, V. Briese, I. Mylonas, K. Friese, C. Unverzagt
N-Glycans of human amniotic fluid transferrin stimulate progesterone production in human first trimester trophoblast cells in vitro
Aims: During pregnancy, the placenta produces a variety
of steroid hormones and proteins. Several of these substances
have been shown to exert immunomodulatory
effects. Progesterone is thought to mediate some of
these effects by regulating uterine responsiveness. The
aim of this study was to clarify the effect of amniotic fluid
transferrin and its N-glycans on the release of progesterone
by first trimester trophoblast cells in vitro.
Methods: Cytotrophoblast cells were prepared from
human first trimester placentae by trypsin-DNAse dispersion
of villous tissue followed by a percoll gradient
centrifugation and depletion of CD45 positive cells by
magnetic cell sorting. Trophoblasts were incubated with
varying concentrations (50–300 ?g/ml) of transferrin from
human amniotic fluid and serum as well as with N-glycans
obtained from amniotic fluid transferrin. Culture
supernatants were assayed for progesterone by enzyme-immunometric
methods.
Results: The release of progesterone increased in amniotic
fluid transferrin- and N-glycan-treated trophoblast
cell cultures compared to untreated trophoblast cells.
There was no stimulating effect of serum transferrin on
the progesterone production of trophoblast cells.
Conclusions: The results suggest that amnion-transferrin
and especially its N-glycans modulate the endocrine
function of trophoblasts in culture by up regulating progesterone
secretion.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 32, 05/2004
Pages: 248 - 253
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