Blocking the interaction between circTNRC18 and LIN28A promotes trophoblast epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and alleviates preeclampsia

Blocking lactate regulation of the Grhl2/SLC31A1 axis inhibits trophoblast cuproptosis and preeclampsia development

PURPOSE

Abnormal cell death due to superficial trophoblast dysfunction caused by placental hypoxia plays a vital role in the development of preeclampsia (PE). Lactic acid stimulates gene transcription in chromatin through lactate modification of histone lysine. Nevertheless, the content and function of lactate in PE development remains largely unclear.

METHODS

The contents of lactic acid and copper in 30 PE and 30 normal placentas were determined by kit colorimetry. Real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression of SLC31A1 in cells and tissues. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion were detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), MTS assay, colony formation assay, and Transwell assay. The transcriptional regulation between Grhl2 and SLC31A was verified by the luciferase reporter gene method and ChIP. The H3K18la modification level was detected by ChIP-PCR.

RESULTS

Herein, we detected increased lactic acid levels in the PE placental tissue, which inhibit the proliferation and invasion of trophoblasts. Interestingly, lactic acid increases intracellular copper content by enhancing the expression of SLC31A1, a key protein of copper ion transporters. Lentivirus knockdown of SLC31A1 blocked the lactate-induced proliferation and invasion of trophoblasts by inhibiting cell cuproptosis. Mechanically, we identified that Grhl2 mediated SLC31A1 expression through transcription and participated in SLC31A1-inhibited proliferation, invasion, and cuproptosis of trophoblasts. Furthermore, the high lactate content increased Grhl2 expression by enhancing lactate modification of histone H3K18 in the Grhl2 promoter region.

CONCLUSIONS

Blocking the lactate-regulated Grhl2/SLC31A1 axis and trophoblastic cuproptosis may be a potential approach to prevent and treat PE.

Expression of IMP3 and LIN28A RNA-Binding Proteins in Placentas of Patients with Pre-Eclampsia with and without Severe Features

BACKGROUND

this study aimed to determine the expression of RNA-binding oncofetal proteins IMP3 and LIN28A in extravillous (EVT) and villous trophoblast (VT) cells of placentas from pre-eclamptic (PE) pregnancies to better understand the pathogenesis of PE.

METHODS

placental tissue of 10 patients with PE with severe features, 10 patients with PE without severe features and 20 age-matched healthy pregnancy controls were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, double immunofluorescence and qPCR.

RESULTS

We found a decreased percentage of IMP3-positive EVT cells in PE with and without severe features compared to that of the healthy control (p < 0.001). IMP3 expression was significantly low in VT of PE placentas compared to that of the healthy control (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in LIN28A expression between groups of PE and the control group. Additionally, we noticed the trend toward downregulation of IMP3 mRNA and LIN28A mRNA in severe PE compared to that of healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that IMP3 expression is decreased in EVT and VT cells of placentas from pregnancies complicated with both PE with and without severe features. However, additional functional investigations are needed to clarify the role of IMP3 as a potential therapeutic target in the management of PE.