The effects of human chorionic gonadotrophin, progesterone and oestradiol on trophoblast function

Jessie Z.J. Chen, May H. Wong, Shaun P. Brennecke, Rosemary J Keogh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

52 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Remodelling of the uterine vasculature during the first trimester of human pregnancy requires invasion of trophoblast from the placenta into decidual spiral arterioles. The pregnancy-associated hormones human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone (P 4) and oestradiol (E 2) are present at high concentrations at the maternal-fetal interface during the remodelling period and thus may contribute to the regulation of trophoblast movement. This study examined the effects of these hormones on trophoblast functions. HTR8/SVneo cells were treated with hCG (5-100mIU/mL), P 4 (20nM-20μM) or E 2 (0.07-734nM). hCG significantly stimulated migration and MMP-9 activity but did not affect cell numbers. P 4 significantly inhibited migration, MMP-2 and -9 activity and reduced cell numbers. E 2 had no effect on migration, MMP activity or cell numbers. We conclude that hCG and P 4, but not E 2, play direct roles in controlling trophoblast invasion, acting as positive and negative stimuli respectively to regulate trophoblast movement during vascular remodelling in early pregnancy. 

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)73-80
Number of pages8
JournalMolecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Volume342
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Aug 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Human chorionic gonadotrophin
  • Invasion
  • Migration
  • Oestradiol
  • Progesterone
  • Trophoblast

Cite this