Revisiting Steroidogenic Pathways in the Human Placenta and Primary Human Trophoblast Cells.

Karahoda, Rona; Kallol, Sampada; Groessl, Michael; Ontsouka, Edgar; Anderle, Pascale; Fluck, Christa; Staud, Frantisek; Albrecht, Christiane (2021). Revisiting Steroidogenic Pathways in the Human Placenta and Primary Human Trophoblast Cells. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(4) MDPI 10.3390/ijms22041704

Preview

Text ijms-22-01704.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY). Download (951kB) | Preview

Steroid hormones play a crucial role in supporting a successful pregnancy and ensuring proper fetal development. The placenta is one of the principal tissues in steroid production and metabolism, expressing a vast range of steroidogenic enzymes. Nevertheless, a comprehensive characterization of steroidogenic pathways in the human placenta and potential developmental changes occurring during gestation are poorly understood. Furthermore, the specific contribution of trophoblast cells in steroid release is largely unknown. Thus, this study aimed to (i) identify gestational age-dependent changes in the gene expression of key steroidogenic enzymes and (ii) explore the role of trophoblast cells in steroid biosynthesis and metabolism. Quantitative and Droplet Digital PCR analysis of 12 selected enzymes was carried out in the first trimester (n = 13) and term (n = 20) human placentas. Primary trophoblast cells (n = 5) isolated from human term placentas and choriocarcinoma-derived cell lines (BeWo, BeWo b30 clone, and JEG-3) were further screened for gene expression of enzymes involved in placental synthesis/metabolism of steroids. Finally, de novo steroid synthesis by primary human trophoblasts was evaluated, highlighting the functional activity of steroidogenic enzymes in these cells. Collectively, we provide insights into the expression patterns of steroidogenic enzymes as a function of gestational age and delineate the cellular origin of steroidogenesis in the human placenta.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

126 since deposited on 19 Apr 2021
45 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item