Effect of epidermal growth factor on hormone secretion by term placenta in organ culture

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.

Epidermal growth factor receptors in rat placenta, amnion and yolk sac: characteristics of specific binding are dependent on gestational age

Studies of [125I]-EGF binding to the rat placenta, amnion and yolk sac were carried out on days 14, 17 and 20 of gestation. In the placenta EGF binding was detectable on all 3 days; in the amnion EGF binding was undetectably low on day 14 but was present on days 17 and 20, while in the yolk sac EGF binding was undetectably low on all 3 days. Although Scatchard analysis of EGF binding to placental tissue raised the possibility of high and low affinity receptors, a statistical analysis of the ligand binding data was consistent with the presence of only one type of EGF receptor. The overall affinity of the receptors did not change with stage of gestation. However, the concentration of EGF receptors was lower in placental tissue on day 17 than on days 14 or 20 of gestation; the receptor concentrations were similar on days 14 and 20. It is suggested that EGF binding to the placenta, amnion, and yolk sac may reflect the levels of cell proliferation in those tissues in the latter part of gestation.

Characterization of the mouse placental epidermal growth factor receptor: changes in receptor number with day of gestation

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is present in the mouse placenta in both a low- and a high-affinity form having approximate values for Ka of 10(7) M-1 and 10(9) M-1, respectively. No significant difference (P greater than or equal to 0.05) in the number of receptors existed between placental membrane preparations from days 10 and 17, both for the low- and the high-affinity receptor. The number of both high- and low-affinity receptors was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) for day 14 placental membranes than for either day 10 or day 17 placental membranes. Cross-linking of 125I-EGF to placental membranes resulted in the specific labelling of two major receptor forms with approximate molecular weights of 170,000 and 154,000, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.