Morphological and cytofluorometric study of the giant cells of the trophoblast of the common vole]

The primary and secondary giant cells of trophoblast in placenta Microtus arvalis were studied. The giant polyploid nuclei are formed in result of series of successively proceeding endomitotic polyploidization of chromosomes. Two stages of endomitosis are described: endointerphase with the uniform net of thin chromatin threads and the stage when small round or rod-shaped paired chromosomes gather mostly under the nuclear membrane. Great number of round, oval, and complex-shaped nucleoli may be seen in nuclei during both stages of endomitosis, the number growing during polyploidization. The morphology of the chromosome-nucleolar apparatus involves peculiarities of the polyploidization mechanism in placenta Microtus arvalis trophoblast. Endomitosis occurs both in low and high-polyploid nuclei. Cytofluorometric determination of the DNA amount in nuclei polyploid nature. The degree of polyploidy of the trophoblast giant cells nuclei during terminal differentiation of placenta corresponds to 128c-512c, and some nuclei contain the DNA amount corresponding to 1024 and 2048 chromosomal sets. The cause of origin of the polyploid cells in trophoblast of rodents placenta is discussed.     

Endomitosis: A reappraisal

Summary The concept and role of endomitosis is reevaluated in the light of observations on three organisms. Endomitosis which morphologically agrees with Geitler's (1939) classical definition is compared in tapetal cells of the liliaceous plant Eremurus, in the septal cells of the testicular follicles of the grasshopper Melanoplus, and in human cells from normal and molar trophoblasts and cervical cancer. These observations, together with those of Kidnadze and Istomina (1980), show that functionally at least two fundamentally different types of endomitosis exist, although morphologically the stages resemble each other in the three organisms. In the first type, exemplified by Eremurus, each endomitosis leads to a chromosome constitution which represents one level higher ploidy, a course that has been assumed to be characteristic of endomitosis in general. The second type, observed in its most characteristic form in the grasshopper, seems to be stationary: no DNA synthesis occurs, but an intensive RNA synthesis takes place. Presumably such cells have reached a final state in their development and are specialized in manufacturing one or more gene products. Endomitosis in normal placenta comes near this type, although DNA synthesis takes place in occasional cells. However, similar endomitotic nuclei in the hydatiform moles are in the process of DNA synthesis. When endomitosis is analyzed in different organisms and tissues, the observation that this process is not one entity should be kept in mind.     

Genome multiplication of extravillous trophoblast cells in human placenta in the course of differentiation and invasion into endometrium and myometrium. II. Mechanisms of polyploidization

Peculiarities of the structure of interphase nuclei, mitotic activity, and Ki-67 protein intranuclear immunolocalization were studied to elucidate mechanisms of genome multiplication in proliferative and differentiating invasive extravillous trophoblast cells in the human placenta. The presence of numerous chromocenters was shown to be a characteristic feature of proliferative cell nuclei of both villous and extravillous trophoblast. At the beginning of extravillous trophoblast cell differentiation, i.e. in the proximal part of cell columns, some amount of cells with large nuclei containing enlarged chromocenters were found. DNA content was measured simultaneously with counting the number of chromocenters in similarly looking nuclei of squash preparations of placental villi. The increase in the ploidy level up to 4c-8c, accompanied by a slight increase in the number of chromocenters being not proportional to the ploidy level and not exceeding the diploid number of chromosomes of the human genome, was demonstrated. This suggests that genome multiplication of extravillous trophoblast cells may be accomplished by endoreduplication. In addition, pictures of endomitosis were seen at early steps of differentiation of EVT cells. The lack of polyploid mitotic figures or any obvious polyploidizing or restitutional mitoses suggests that these are not of considerable importance in genome multiplication of human EVT cells. However, the prevalence of metaphases at the boundary of the distal part of cell columns suggests that restitutional mitoses may be involved, even partly, in human trophoblast cell polyploidization. At later steps of differentiation, i.e. in the distal part of cell columns, the nuclear structure obviously changes, with a uniform "network" chromatin arrangement prevailing, whereas numerous chromocenters and features of endomitosis are no longer seen. The pattern of Ki-67 protein immunolocalization is also changing along the invasive pathway. In the proliferating stem cells and trophoblast cells of the proximal part of cell columns, Ki-67 was localized in the karyoplasm, chromocenters and numerous small nucleoli, whereas in the distal part of cell columns this protein was detected predominantly in 1-2 large nucleoli. The comparative analysis of the literature data on Ki-67 localization at different stages of cell cycle provided another evidence that EVT cells in the course of invasion may switch to the endoreduplication cycle. In agreement with the relevant report on rodent placentation, our present data suggest that acquirement of an invasive phenotype of EVT cells is accompanied by switching from mitotic division to endoreduplication cycle.     

Development of the chorioallantoic placenta in Octodon degus--a model for growth processes in caviomorph rodents?

The degu Octodon degus is one of the very few members of caviomorph or hystricognath Rodentia that possesses a simply arranged chorioallantoic placenta without advanced lobulation. Therefore this species was used as a model to study regional development and growth processes of the placenta, based on the examination of 20 individuals by light and electron microscopy as well as by using markers for proliferation, trophoblast and endometrial stroma. The results were interpreted by comparison with other hystricognaths in the light of their evolutionary history. It was found that trophoblast derived from the trophospongium is essential for extension of the placenta including the labyrinth: extensive proliferation is restricted to trophoblast cells at the outer margin of the placenta and along internally directed, finger-tip like protrusions of fetal mesenchyme towards the labyrinth. This kind of placental development is regarded as part of the stem species pattern of hystricognaths, evolved more than 40 million years ago. It is indicated for the first time that the replenishment of the syncytiotrophoblast is similar to corresponding processes in the human placenta. In conclusion, the degu is a useful model for placental growth dynamics, particularly because of its simply arranged placental architecture, and may also serve as an animal model in comparison to human pregnancies.     

Upstream Stimulating Factors 1 and 2 Enhance Transcription from the Placenta-Specific Promoter 1.1 of the Bovine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyp19</Emphasis> Gene

Background  

Placenta-derived oestrogens have an impact on the growth and differentiation of the trophoblast, and are involved in processes initiating and facilitating birth. The enzyme that converts androgens into oestrogens, aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom), is encoded by the Cyp19 gene. In the placenta of the cow, expression of Cyp19 relies on promoter 1.1 (P1.1). Our recent studies of P1.1 in vitro and in a human trophoblast cell line (Jeg3) revealed that interactions of placental nuclear protein(s) with the E-box element at position -340 are required for full promoter activity. The aim of this work was to identify and characterise the placental E-box (-340)-binding protein(s) (E-BP) as a step towards understanding how the expression of Cyp19 is regulated in the bovine placenta.     

Placental expression of estrogen receptor beta and its hormone binding variant – comparison with estrogen receptor alpha and a role for estrogen receptors in asymmetric division and differentiation of estrogen-dependent cells

During human pregnancy, the production of 17-beta-estradiol (E2) rises steadily to eighty fold at term, and placenta has been found to specifically bind estrogens. We have recently demonstrated the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) protein in human placenta and its localization in villous cytotrophoblast (CT), vascular pericytes, and amniotic fibroblasts. In vitro, E2 stimulated development of large syncytiotrophoblast (ST) aggregates. In the present study we utilized ER-beta affinity purified polyclonal (N19:sc6820) and ER-alpha monoclonal (clone h-151) antibodies. Western blot analysis revealed a single ~52 kDa ER-beta band in chorionic villi (CV) protein extracts. In CV, strong cytoplasmic ER-beta immunoreactivity was confined to ST. Dual color immunohistochemistry revealed asymmetric segregation of ER-alpha in dividing villous CT cells. Prior to separation, the cell nuclei more distant from ST exhibited high ER-alpha, while cell nuclei associated with ST showed diminution of ER-alpha and appearance of ER-beta. In trophoblast cultures, development of ST aggregates was associated with diminution of ER-alpha and appearance of ER-beta immunoreactivity. ER-beta was also detected in endothelial cells, amniotic epithelial cells and fibroblasts, extravillous trophoblast (nuclear and cytoplasmic) and decidual cells (cytoplasmic only). In addition, CFK-E12 (E12) and CWK-F12 (F12) monoclonal antibodies, which recognize ~64 kDa ER-beta with hormone binding domain, showed nuclear-specific reactivity with villous ST, extravillous trophoblast, and amniotic epithelium and fibroblasts. Western blot analysis indicated abundant expression of a ~64 kDa ER-beta variant in trophoblast cultures, significantly higher when compared to the chorionic villi and freshly isolated trophoblast cell protein extracts. This is the first report on ER-beta expression in human placenta and cultured trophoblast. Our data indicate that during trophoblast differentiation, the ER-alpha is associated with a less, and ER-beta with the more differentiated state. Enhanced expression of ~64 kDa ER-beta variant in trophoblast cultures suggests a unique role of ER-beta hormone binding domain in the regulation of trophoblast differentiation. Our data also indicate that asymmetric segregation of ER-alpha may play a role in asymmetric division of estrogen-dependent cells.     

ENDOMITOSIS IN TAPETAL CELLS OF EREMURUS (LILIACEAE)

True endomitosis in the anther tapetum of the liliaceous plant Eremurus is described. The nuclear membrane does not disappear, but during metaphase the chromosomes are condensed, often considerably more than in normal mitosis. When the pollen mother cells (PMCs) go through the last premeiotic mitosis, the tapetal cells have one diploid nucleus which divides while the cell remains undivided. The two diploid nuclei may undergo an endomitosis and the resulting tetraploid nuclei a second endomitosis. An alternative pathway is an ordinary mitosis—again without cell division—instead of one of the endomitotic cycles. The cytological picture in the tapetum is further complicated by restitution in anaphase and fusion of metaphase and anaphase groups during mitosis, processes which could give rise to cells with one, two, or three nuclei, instead of the expected two or four. No sign of the so-called “inhibited” mitosis is seen in these tapetal cells. When the PMCs are in leptotene-zygotene, very few tapetal nuclei are in endomitosis. When the PMCs have reached diplotene, almost 100% of cells which are not in interphase show an endomitotic stage.     

Receptor-mediated processing of epidermal growth factor in the trophoblast of the human placenta.

The processing of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor in human trophoblast during the first trimester and at term was studied using biotin-labeled EGF, an anti-EGF receptor monoclonal antibody and immunohistochemistry. In chorionic villi incubated with EGF-biotin the ligand was first bound to specific receptors on the syncytial surface, which are in contact with the maternal blood. After 2-5 min in the early gestation placenta, EGF-biotin was found at the basal plasma membrane of the syncytium accompanied by a pronounced EGF receptor immunostaining. In contrast, in the term placenta, immunostaining of EGF-biotin as well as EGF receptors was pronounced in the syncytioplasma within 30-60 min following EGF stimulation; in addition, EGF-biotin was found in some syncytial nuclei. These immunostaining reactions were enhanced after lysosomal blockage by chloroquine. The results reveal a transsyncytial, receptor-mediated transfer of EGF from the maternal blood to the cytotrophoblast, the proliferating part of the trophoblast, in the first trimester placenta. However, in the term placenta, the EGF signal seems to be directed primarily to the syncytium, thus probably influencing differentiated functions. In conclusion, the trophoblast examplifies three possible pathways of EGF processing: 1. transcytotic transfer, 2. direct intracellular signalling followed by lysosomal degradation, and 3. nuclear binding.     

Human-specific LAIR2 contributes to the high invasiveness of human extravillous trophoblast cells

The placenta is a temporary vital organ for intra-uterine development and growth. The anatomical structure of the placenta has evolved substantially, resulting in broad inter-species diversity. In particular, human placental extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs) have evolved aggressive features, although the mechanism underlying this aggressiveness remains elusive. In the present study, we compared the human and mouse homologous gene databases and obtained 2272 human-specific genes, 807 of which are expressed in the placenta according to the UniGene database. Using the human trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo, we further verified the expression and function of one of these genes, the leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 2 (LAIR2). This gene shows increased expression during pregnancy and its reduced expression is associated with pregnancy complications. Although LAIR2 was expressed in the human placenta villus and decidua in the first trimester of pregnancy, it was not expressed in mouse tissues. Knockdown of LAIR2 markedly improved cell viability and inhibited the invasive ability of HTR8/SVneo cells. These data suggest that species-specific genes are pivotal to the evolution of a more aggressive human placenta to match the physiological demands of human development. Further investigation is required to obtain evidence on the function of LAIR2 and other specific genes in the placenta, providing insight on the mechanism, properties, and possible applications of this in humans.     

改良的高纯度人早孕绒毛膜滋养层细胞培养方法

目的培养纯度较高的人早孕绒毛膜滋养层细胞,为研究胎盘绒毛在妊娠期间的作用及其机制提供细胞学基础。方法胰蛋白酶-DNA酶消化法分离培养绒毛膜滋养层细胞,再运用流式细胞仪细胞分选获得高表达HLA-G的人早孕绒毛膜滋养层细胞。流式细胞术检测分选前后原代培养细胞HLA-G的表达率,相差显微镜观察滋养层细胞形态学特点,免疫荧光显微镜鉴定细胞来源,台盼蓝染色检测细胞活力。结果通过流式细胞检测,分选前的原代培养细胞体系中HLA-G的表达率为86.5%,经过分选带有PE荧光/HLA-G阳性表达的原代培养细胞后,其纯度可达98.0%。倒置相差显微镜下,可见细胞为上皮样细胞形态,呈片状铺展生长。细胞角蛋白染色阳性,波形蛋白染色阴性,表明细胞性质为上皮来源的绒毛膜滋养层细胞。台盼兰排斥试验检测细胞活力,细胞活力良好,存活率超过92%。结论该方法可以有效获得高纯度的,具有生物学活性的人早孕绒毛膜层细胞,为在体外研究生理妊娠及病理妊娠中滋养细胞的作用提供了一种改良的技术手段。     

Trophoblast stem cell derivation, cross-species comparison and use of nuclear transfer: new tools to study trophoblast growth and differentiation

The trophoblast is a supportive tissue in mammals that plays key roles in embryonic patterning, foetal growth and nutrition. It shows an extensive growth up to the formation of the placenta. This growth is believed to be fed by trophoblast stem cells able to self-renew and to give rise to the differentiated derivatives present in the placenta. In this review, we summarize recent data on the molecular regulation of the trophoblast in vivo and in vitro. Most data have been obtained in the mouse, however, whenever relevant, we compare this model to other mammals. In ungulates, the growth of the trophoblast displays some striking features that make these species interesting alternative models for the study of trophoblast development. After the transfer of somatic nuclei into oocytes, studies in the mouse and the cow have both underlined that the trophoblast may be a direct target of reprogramming defects and that its growth seems specifically affected. We propose that the study of TS cells derived from nuclear transfer embryos may help to unravel some of the epigenetic abnormalities which occur therein.     

Human ovary and placenta express messenger RNA for multiple activin receptors

In the present study, we examined the expression of activin receptor (ActR) mRNAs in human ovary and placenta. Primers specific for two type I and two type II activin receptors (ActR-I, ActR-IB, ActR-II, and ActR-IIB) were used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify cDNAs prepared from granulosa-luteal cells, placental tissues and isolated trophoblast cells. PCR products with the expected sizes for ActR-I, ActR-IB, ActR-II, and ActR-IIB mRNAs were detected in freshly dissociated and 5-day cultured granulosa-luteal cells; and in trophoblast cells from both first trimester and term placentas. The identity of these PCR products were confirmed by Southern blot hybridization, as well as cloning and sequencing. These results suggest that multiple activin receptors are present in human ovary and placenta and may mediate activin function in these tissues. The demonstration of activin receptor mRNAs in granulosa-luteal and trophoblast cells further supports the notion that activin is an important local regulator in the human ovary and placenta.     

Cell reproduction and genome multiplication in the proliferative and invasive trophoblast cell populations of mammalian placenta

Spatiotemporal "time-table" of ways of cell reproduction (mitosis, restitutional mitosis, endomitosis, endoreduplication) of trophoblast cell populations is described. The populations of mitotically active trophoblast cells (diploid and low-polyploid) are located mostly out of contact with maternal tissues. In rodent placenta they mainly switch from mitotic cycle to polyploidizing (restitutional) mitoses and reach 4c-8c. Thereafter they switch to endoreduplication and reach 16c-64c. Following a series of endoreduplication cycles a part of this cell population sets apart and penetrates deeply into the decidualized endometrium and myometrium, their capabilities for replication being lost progressively (in rodent--256c-1024c). The invasive trophoblast cells that reach 256c-1024c via endoreduplication simultaneously form a barrier between semiallogenic fetal and maternal tissues. Arrest of mitoses and complete repression of DNA replication after a series of endoreduplication cycles makes hardly probable the renewal of mitotic activity in the deeply invading tertiary giant trophoblast cells, thereby preventing the possibility of their ectopic expanding in the maternal tissues during the normal pregnancy.     

Expression and function of PPARgamma in rat placental development

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma is a nuclear receptor known to regulate adipogenesis. Deletion of the PPARgamma gene in the mouse results in death by embryonic day 10.0 (E10.0) due to the failure of establishment of a labyrinth layer in the placenta, which suggests that PPARgamma is involved in trophoblast differentiation. To define PPARgamma function further in placental development, the expression and localization of the PPARgamma gene in the rat placenta was investigated. RT-PCR analysis shows the presence of PPARgamma mRNA in the placenta of day 11 of pregnancy (d11). The expression level is higher at d13 and then later decreased. Immunohistochemistry detects both PPARgamma and its putative intrinsic ligand, 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2), in the trophoblast of layer I which lined the maternal sinus. Oral administration of troglitazone, an agonist of PPARgamma, to pregnant rats between d9 and d11 increases the expression level of PPARgamma in the placenta and reduces the mortality of the fetuses by half. These results suggest that PPARgamma is required not only for trophoblast differentiation but also trophoblast maturation to establish maternal-fetal transport.     

A deficiency of placental IL-10 in preeclampsia.

Accommodation of the fetoplacental unit in human pregnancy requires maternal immune tolerance to this "semiallograft". Local antiplacental immunity is modified by synthesis of uncommon histocompatibility Ags (e.g., HLA-G), growth factors, and cytokines by the placenta. Placental interleukins have been identified in reproductive tissues, but their roles in adaptive maternal immunity and determining term pregnancy outcomes have not been fully clarified. This study examined the distribution of IL-10 and TNF-alpha staining in term placentas. Women with proteinuric hypertension (PE, n = 10) were compared with an age-matched group with normal pregnancy (NP, n = 14) and gestational hypertension (GH, n = 6). Using immunohistochemistry of parrafin-fixed tissues, trophoblast cells were identified by cytokeratin 7 and cytokeratin 18 staining. The cytokine binding of villous trophoblast cells was scored depending on the extent of circumferential cytoplasm staining (<25%; intermediate or >75%). The cytokine positive decidual cells were scored as a percentage of total extravillous trophoblast cells. There was a reduction in villous IL-10 immunostaining compared with normal term placenta (PE, 10.2 +/- 1.1, mean +/- SEM; NP, 14.07 +/- 1.16 Mann-Whitney U test; p = 0.02). In these patients, there was an increase in TNF-alpha immunostaining. Sparse endovascular extravillous trophoblast cells demonstrated nuclear IL-10 staining in 30% of patients with preeclampsia. Serum IL-10 was diminished in women with preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy. In conclusion, villous trophoblast demonstrated diminished immunostaining of IL-10 in preeclampsia. This abnormality may be associated with heightened maternal antifetal immunity and therefore inadequate placental development in preeclampsia.     

Hemeoxygenase expression in human placenta and placental bed implies a role in regulation of trophoblast invasion and placental function.

The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of hemeoxygenases HO-1 and HO-2, which are responsible for the production of carbon monoxide (CO), in the human placenta and placental bed and to determine the role of inhibitors of HO on placental perfusion pressure. We hypothesized that HO is expressed within the placenta and that invading cytotrophoblast cells (CTB) express HO isoforms. The expression of HO-1 and HO-2 was studied on placenta and placental bed biopsies, obtained using a transcervical sampling technique, from normal human pregnancies between 8 and 19 wk gestation and at term. In the placenta, HO-2 immunostaining was prominent in syncytiotrophoblast in the first trimester and reduced toward term (P<0.0005). HO-2 endothelial immunostaining was weak in the first trimester, but increased by term (P<0.0005). Within the placental bed, HO-2 was expressed by CTB in cell columns, the cytotrophoblast shell, and cell islands. Both intravascular CTB and interstitial CTB expressed HO-2. HO-1 immunostaining was low in the placenta but intense on the CTB within the placental bed. A striking feature was the absence of HO-1 from the proximal layers of cell columns, with strong expression on the more distal CTB layers of the cell columns. In placental perfusion studies, a significant dose-dependent increase in perfusion pressure was observed in the presence of zinc protoporphyrin, an inhibitor of HO. These results suggest a role for CO in placental function, trophoblast invasion, and spiral artery transformation. Hemeoxygenase expression in human placenta and placental bed implies a role in regulation of trophoblast invasion and placental function.     

动物克隆中的胎盘异常

核移植后,克隆胎儿的发育需要通过胎盘与母体进行物质交换。供体核重编程的错误常导致克隆胎盘异常,如胎盘过大、滋养层异常和血管缺陷等,这些现象通常与蛋白质表达的异常有关。克隆胎盘的缺陷会影响克隆胎儿的发育,降低胎儿的出生率,这可能是造成动物克隆效率低下的一个重要原因。     

Proteolytic activity of first trimester human placenta: localization of interstitial collagenase in villous and extravillous trophoblast

Summary In human placentation, events of implantation and early blastocyst development are mediated by fetal trophoblastic cells which penetrate into the maternal endometrium and myometrium. Although highly regulated in its biological behavior, trophoblast simulates a malignant neoplasm by virtue of invading the uterine wall and uterine spiral arteries and by embolizing throughout the systemic circulation. This process is at least in part dependant on the regulated production of proteolytic enzymes to degrade extracellular matrix. The most abundant extracellular protein is connective tissue type (interstitial) collagen. The uterine remodeling during the establishment of the embryo requires collagenase which catalyzes the intial step in the breakdown of collagen. This study demonstrates the presence of interstitial collagenase in villous and extravillous trophoblast of first trimester placenta using immunocytochemical methods on light microscopic and ultrastructural levels. Intracytoplasmic staining for interstitial collagenase was present in cyto- and syncytiotrophoblast covering the chorionic villi as well as in extravillous intermediate trophoblast invading spiral arteries in the placental bed. Furthermore, outgrowth cultures of chorionic villi were studied with the immunogold method. Gold labelling was associated with the cell surface of trophoblastic cells as well as with fibrillary collagen like proteins of newly synthesized extracellular matrix. We speculate that interstitial collagenase plays a role in the degradation of uterine collagen within the developing human placenta.