Effects of culture conditions on the synthesis of human chorionic gonadotropin by placental organ cultures

Summary Culture conditions for maintaining first trimester human placenta in organ culture, which enhance the secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), are described. Nutrient medium, oxygen tension and Gelfoam support matrix infuence the synthesis of hCG by these cultures. Placental tissue remained viable for the duration of experiments (12 days) as judged by the incorporation of tritiated thymidine into DNA and the lack of release of incorporated [¹²⁵Iiododeoxyuridine. Optimal conditions for hCG synthesis in placental organ culture included an atmosphere of 95% air and 5% CO₂ (approximately 20% O₂), CMRL 1066 medium containing fetal human or bovine serum, insulin, hydrocortisone and retinal acetate. Multiple pieces of placenta could be cultured in the same dish with an additive effect on hCG secretion. The functional responsiveness of these placental cultures was demonstrated by modulation of hCG synthesis with theophylline and 3′5′ dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Presented in part at the meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, April 1978. This work is being submitted in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. requirements in the Department of Biology, Catholic University of America.     

Upregulation of placental indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase by human chorionic gonadotropin

We tested the hypothesis that hCG can upregulate human trophoblast indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (INDO), which catalyzes the breakdown of tryptophan in villous circulation. The results revealed that it can. Treatment of human trophoblasts with hCG resulted in a time and dose dependent increase in INDO mRNA and protein levels and its enzyme activity. The hCG effect was hormone specific and required the dimer conformation of hCG. The hCG effect required its receptors and was mediated by a cAMP dependent, but protein kinase A independent, mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 (MAPK3/1) signaling mechanism. In summary, the present data demonstrate a novel hCG effect on human placental INDO, which probably plays a key role at maternal fetal interface in preventing fetal rejection.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone effects on placental hormones during gestation: I. Alpha-human chorionic gonadotropin, human chorionic gonadotropin and human chorionic somatomammotropin

The release of alpha-human chorionic gonadotropin (alpha hCG), gonadotropin human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and human chorionic somatomammotropin (hCS) in vitro from placentas of different gestational ages was studied. In addition, the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on these hormonal releases, as related to the gestational age of the placenta cultured and the dose of GnRH, was determined. The basal release of alpha hCG and hCG was greatest at 9-13 wk of gestation (1000-1500 ng/mg and 250-350 ng/mg, respectively). Lowest release rates were at term (28 ng/mg and 20 ng/mg, respectively). Hormonal release declined with extended culture, except from the cultures of 13- and 15-wk placentas, in which the initially high release continued throughout the 8 days of culture. The initial release of hCS was low at 6 wk, increased to maximum rates by 15 wk, and was similar to the initial rate of release at term. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulated the release of alpha hCG and hCG most dramatically in cultures of 16-wk and 17-wk placentas, where as much as a 400- and 250-fold increase, respectively, on Day 6 of culture was observed (p less than 0.0001). In term placenta cultures after 6 days in vitro, a 20-fold stimulation of alpha hCG and a 10-fold increase of hCG was effected by GnRH (p less than 0.001). The largest responses of alpha hCG and hCG to GnRH were observed when estrogen levels were low. Dose-related responses were observed in some placentas, yet in some instances, maximal effects were attained with all doses utilized in these studies (0.2 to 50 micrograms/ml). These data demonstrate that human placentas of different gestational ages have varying hormonogenic capabilities in vitro. The data also establish that synthetic GnRH is capable of stimulating alpha hCG and hCG production, but the degree and pattern of response to GnRH stimulation are related to the gestational age of the placental tissue and its time in culture. The most responsive period to exogenous GnRH stimulation of alpha hCG and hCG release was on Days 5 and 6 of culture, when basal estrogen release was very low. These data support the hypothesis that hCG release might be controlled by a chorionic GnRH stimulation and suggest that local steroid levels may modulate the hCG response to GnRH stimulation.     

Regulation of the synthesis of human chorionic gonadotropin by strains of HeLa cells in culture

Summary Thirty-seven strains of HeLa cells were examined for their ability to synthesize human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its alpha subunit (hCG-α) in culture. Synthesis of hCG-α and hCG also was investigated in the presence of sodium butyrate and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd). All HeLa strains synthesized hCG-α in culture. Sodium butyrate increased the synthesis of hCG-α in all HeLa cells; BrdUrd increased synthesis in 32 of the 37 strains examined. Although few HeLa strains synthesized hCG in the absence of inducers, hCG was detected in most strains in the presence of sodium butyrate. The synthesis of hCG and its alpha subunit is, therefore, a stable genetic characteristics of HeLa cells. Certain preparations of hCG and its subunits were generously provided through the Center for Population Research of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH.     

Preservation of human chorionic gonadotropin and placental lactogen secretion and normal morphology following long-term culture of normal human placental cells

In order to study the regulation of hCG and hPL secretion during gestation, a system for the preservation of the functional integrity of normal placental cells in long-term culture was established. Normal term placental cells were dispersed with 0.25% trypsin-500 units DNAse I and cultured in a monolayer in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium with 10% fetal bovine serum. Normal cell morphology, basal hCG and hPL production and hCG responses to dibutyryl cAMP were preserved till 54 days of culture. This model may be useful for the study of long-term regulation of normal placental hCG and hPL synthesis and secretion.     

Regulation of progesterone secretion in human syncytiotrophoblast in culture by human chorionic gonadotropin.

In the present investigation we sought to define the specific sites in the pathway of placental progesterone biosynthesis that underlie the action of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). When the cells were challenged with dibutryl cAMP (dbcAMP), forskolin or isobutylmethylxanthine, they produced significantly higher amounts of progesterone which in the presence of the hCG antibody was reduced to the level of the control set of cells. Trophoblast cells cultured in serum free medium with 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC) produced increased amounts of progesterone. In the presence of hCG antibody at a concentration which neutralized the secreted hCG, the steroid production was completely blocked, even when the 25-OHC was added to the medium. Also, direct quantitation of the cytochrome P450 SCC enzyme in the absence of hCG indicated a significant decrease. The exogenous addition of low density lipoproteins (LDL) increased the progesterone secretion by the trophoblast cells in culture. Neutralization of hCG by the antibodies, however, drastically reduced the LDL induced progesterone secretion, which was restored by the addition of dbcAMP to the medium. Based on these findings, we suggest a stimulatory effect of hCG on normal trophoblast cells at the level of LDL utilization and cytochrome P450 SCC enzyme. Since dbcAMP could mimic these actions of hCG, the data suggest a possible autocrine/paracrine role of hCG on the trophoblast cells. An additive effect of hCG and cAMP on progesterone secretion observed in our studies, indicate that apart from hCG, adenylate cyclase activity may also be regulated by other factors.     

Differentiation in human amniotic fluid cell cultures: chorionic gonadotropin production.

Two of the distinguishable cell classes subcultured from human amniotic fluid were examined for their capability to produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as determined by radioimmunoassay. The class that predominates in most cultures used for prenatal genetic diagnosis, previously termed AF (for amniotic fluid), secretes hCG into the culture medium. Dermal fibroblasts do not, nor does another type of cultured cell from amniotic fluid, previously termed F because of a resemblance to fibroblasts. Primary AF cultures produce more hCG than do subcultures. Evidence that this hormone is intact hCG is provided by its immunoreactivity with antisera raised against the beta-subunit and against the intact molecule of hCG. Furthermore, a dose-response curve for hormone in culture medium is parallel to that of highly purified intact hCG. It is postulated that AF cultures are derived from fetal membranes and retain properties of trophoblast.     

Reduction of testicular human chorionic gonadotropin receptors by human chorionic gonadotropin in vivo and in vitro

Changes in rat and human testicular human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) binding sites induced by hCG were estimated in vivo and in vitro. After a single administration of hCG, the specific 125I-hCG bindings were significantly reduced for 7 and 5 days in rat and human testes, respectively. Thereafter, 125I-hCG bindings had recovered to pretreatment values by the 14th day after the administration. Occupied hCG bindings accounted for about half of the reduced bindings on the day after administration of hCG. After this time, however, the occupancy did not contribute so much to the reduction of the bindings. In experiments in vitro using the organ culture technique, an exposure to hCG for 24 h induced a dose-related significant loss of the specific 125I-hCG bindings for 7 and 5 days in rat and human testes, respectively. Thereafter, the loss was gradually recovered. These patterns of changes in 125I-hCG bindings in vitro were similar to those in vivo. These findings suggest that the reduction in hCG binding sites by hCG is due to not only occupancy but also downregulation of the binding sites and that the testicular organ culture method used in the present study is useful to study hormonal regulation of testicular function, especially in human testes.     

Nucleotides do not modulate rat luteocyte human chorionic gonadotropin responsiveness by inhibiting human chorionic gonadotropin binding

Nucleotide inhibition of ¹²⁵I-labeled human chorionic gonadotropin binding to luteocyte receptor was studied by investigating effects of nucleotides on the apparent equilibrium association constant (K_a) and number of binding sites (B_max), and on rate constants for association (k₊₁) and dissociation (k_?1, k_?2). K_aandB_max were determined by various analyses of equilibrium binding data using washed 2000g pellet of an ovarian homogenate from rats 7 days after pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin-human chorionic gonadotropin priming. Adenyl and guanyl nucleotides, as well as other nucleotides, lowered the K_a of ¹²⁵I-labeled human chorionic gonadotropin binding to luteocyte receptor without affecting B_max. The degree of inhibition was dose related at nucleotide concentrations greater than 10^?3 m. GTP and guanyl-5′-ylimidodiphosphate inhibitions were similar in the presence or absence of EDTA (1.25 × 10^?3 m). ATP and GTP lowered K_a by slowing the rate of association. Inhibition of binding could not be demonstrated at lower nucleotide concentrations even when luteocyte membranes were purified partially by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation. In light of the high nucleotide concentrations required to inhibit ¹²⁵I-labeled human chorionic gonadotropin binding and the inhibition by Mg²⁺ and PP₁ at similar concentrations, the effect appears to be a nonspecific ionic effect. Therefore, in contrast to the glucagon-hepatocyte system, luteocyte human chorionic gonadotropin responsiveness does not appear to be modulated by nucleotide inhibition of human chorionic gonadotropin-receptor interaction.     

Production of monoclonal antibodies against human chorionic gonadotropin by hybridoma cultures in calcium alginate capsules

A new method of making microcapsules with calcium alginate gel was developed and the cultivation of the encapsulated hybridoma cells producing monoclonal antibodies against human chorionic gonadotropin was investigated. A high cell density of 2.0×10⁸ cells/cm³ in the capsules led to a high dilution rate of 0.68 per hour and resulted in the high volumetric monoclonal antibody productivity of 652.8 mg/l/day, which was 20–30 times higher than those of traditional continuous suspension cultures. However, long-term continuous culture was not achieved with this capsule system probably because of the limitation in nutrient supply and the accumulation of waste products. Also the analysis of oxygen transfer in this system showed that oxygen supply was not enough to support such a high cell density.     

Immunobiology of human chorionic gonadotropin

A comprehensive review of the immunobiology of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), including the structure of both alpha and beta chains, immunogenicity of various segments and epitopes of each, secretion and function of the hormone, determinants of receptor recognition, and finally, clinical studies of possible contraceptive beta-hCG-based vaccines, is presented. hCG is composed of 2 glycosylated peptides. The alpha subunit is identical to that found in hLH, hFSH and hTSH. The beta subunit, which is limiting in the sense that it is secreted in smaller amounts, defines the biological activity of hCG. hCG is secreted throughout pregnancy from 170 hours after fertilization to a peak at 8-10 weeks of and is essential for maintenance of early pregnancy by progesterone secreted by the corpus luteum. Although native hCG evokes antibodies, they cross react with LH, so such a vaccine would not be useful for contraception. Beta-hCG has been purified and also produced by monoclonal antibodies, and shown to produce antibodies and infertility in baboons. Phase I clinical trials of immunologically purified beta-hCG complexed to tetanus toxoid were conducted on 63 women in an international study in the mid-1970s, but results were mixed in terms of antibody titer and duration. New vaccines have been designed based on more sophisticated adjuvants, beta- hCG-terminal peptides, and polyvalent vaccines and are being tested in 4 Phase I trials currently, sponsored by the Population Council, the Indian government-sponsored program, and the WHO.     

An immunogold,cryoultrastructural study of sites of synthesis and storage of chorionic gonadotropin and placental lactogen in human syncytiotrophoblast

Summary The sites of intracellular synthesis and storage of human placental lactogen (hPL) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are controversial. We have used one of the most sensitive methods, cryoultramicrotomy and immunogold labelling, to localise these hormones at the electron-microscopic level. In both 12-week and term placentas hCG and hPL are present throughout the rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, in the Golgi bodies, and in the infrequent small dense granules of the syncytiotrophoblast. Previous assays have shown that hCG is at a higher concentration in early pregnancy and hPL peaks in late pregnancy, and our results corroborate these findings. No significant localisation of either hormone was seen in the cytotrophoblast or villous stroma. The results suggest that both hCG and hPL are synthesised and packaged by the classical secretory pathway, although the level of hormone stored in granules at any one time is small.     

Effects of luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin on corpus luteum cells in a spheroid cell culture system

The human corpus luteum (CL) is a highly vascularized, temporarily active endocrine gland and consists mainly of granulosa cells (GCs), theca cells (TCs), and endothelial cells (ECs). Its cyclic growth and development takes place under the influence of gonadotropic hormones. If pregnancy does occur, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) takes over the function of luteinizing hormone (LH) and, in contrast to LH, extends the functional life span of the CL. In this study, we investigated the effects of hCG and LH in a spheroidal cell culture model of CL development. Our data indicate that GCs secrete factors under the control of hCG that increase sprout formation of EC-spheroids. We demonstrate that the most prominent of these factors is VEGF-A. Furthermore, we found that both LH and hCG decrease sprout formation of GC-spheroids. After forming EC-GC coculture spheroids and consequently bringing GCs and ECs in close contact, sprouting increased under the influence of hCG, however not under LH. These experiments provide evidence for an hCG dependent functional switch in the GCs after coming in contact with ECs. Moreover, it demonstrates the considerably different effects of hCG and LH on GCs although their signaling is transmitted via the same receptor.     

Productivity of estrogens by human placental organ culture at different stages of gestation

The productivity of estrogens from 6 to 39 weeks of pregnancy was assessed by using human placental organ culture. It was revealed that the placenta gains the capacity to generate a significant amount of estrogens at around 8 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, it was suggested that the luteoplacental shift takes place between 6 and 8 weeks of gestation (or 4 to 6 weeks after fertilization). The productivity of estrogens showed a distinct difference before and after 10 weeks of pregnancy when the placental localization is established. The amount of estrone formed by the placenta before 10 weeks of pregnancy was 0.043 +/- 0.005 nanomoles/mg protein/hour (mean +/- s.e, n = 6), while it was 0.034 +/- 0.002 nanomoles/mg protein/hour from 10 weeks to term (mean +/- s.e, n = 18 ; not significantly different) during which no marked change was observed, however that of 17 beta-estradiol was 0.099 +/- 0.002 nanomoles/mg protein/hour (mean +/- s.e, n = 6) before 10 weeks of pregnancy and 0.072 +/- 0.002 nanomoles/mg protein/hour (mean +/- s.e, n = 18) from 10 weeks to term (significant difference with p less than 0.005). The 17 beta-estradiol/estrone ratio remained almost constant throughout pregnancy, which ranged from 2.00 to 3.00.     

Solution structure of the alpha-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin.

The three-dimensional solution structure of the alpha-subunit in the alpha, beta heterodimeric human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), deglycosylated with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase-B (dg-alpha hCG), was determined using 2D homonuclear and 2D heteronuclear 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy at natural abundance in conjunction with the program package XPLOR. The distance geometry/simulated annealing protocol was modified to allow for the efficient modelling of the cystine knot motif present in alpha hCG. The protein structure was modelled with 620 interproton distance restraints and the GlcNAc residue linked to Asn78 was modelled with 30 protein-carbohydrate and 3 intraresidual NOEs. The solution structure of dg-alpha hCG is represented by an ensemble of 27 structures. In comparison to the crystal structure of the dimer, the solution structure of free dg-alpha hCG exhibits: (a) an increased structural disorder (residues 33-57); (b) a different backbone conformation near Val76 and Glu77; and (c) a larger flexibility. These differences are caused by the absence of the interactions with the beta-subunit. Consequently, in free dg-alpha hCG, compared to the intact dimer, the two hairpin loops 20-23 and 70-74 are arranged differently with respect to each other. The beta-GlcNAc(78) is tightly associated with the hydrophobic protein-core in between the beta-hairpins. This conclusion is based on the NOEs from the axial H1, H3, H5 atoms and the N-acetyl protons of beta-GlcNAc(78) to the protein-core. The hydrophobic protein-core between the beta-hairpins is thereby shielded from the solvent.     

Aggregated proteoglycan synthesis in organ cultures of human nucleus pulposus.

Proteoglycans isolated under associative conditions in the presence of protease inhibitors from human nucleus pulposus contained 17% aggregate and 83% non-aggregating monomer (Kav = 0.5 on Sepharose CL-2B). Isolated aggregate after reduction and alkylation was resolved into two components (Kav = 0.15 and 0.43) on Sepharose CL-2B. Labeled proteoglycans isolated from parallel samples pulsed with [35S]sulfate and chased for up to 18 h were present largely as aggregated material (up to 78%). Reduction and alkylation of the labeled samples gave a labeled proteoglycan monomer with Kav = 0.15. Both the labeled and unlabeled chondroitin sulfate chains had the same distribution on Sepharose CL-6B and equivalent molecular weights (Mr = 2.0 x 10(3)). After chondroitinase ABC digestion, the unlabeled keratan sulfate-protein core was polydisperse with a Kav = 0.38 on Sepharose CL-4B while the labeled keratan sulfate-protein core had a Kav = 0.05. This indicates that the newly synthesized proteoglycan had a large core protein and suggests that the proteoglycans present in nucleus pulposus are originally synthesized as large molecular weight, aggregating proteoglycans.