ERp29 affects the migratory and invasive ability of human extravillous trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cells via modulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Dysfunction of trophoblast metastasis into the endometrium is the main cause of pre-eclampsia (PE); however, the factors affecting this process are still unclear. In this study, we found that endoplasmic reticulum protein 29 (ERp29), one molecular chaperone of the endoplasmic reticulum, was aberrantly upregulated in the placenta of pre-eclamptic patients compared with healthy controls. Then, an in vitro study using human extravillous trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cells showed that ERp29 upregulation could inhibit the migratory and invasive ability of HTR-8/SVneo cells, while ERp29 downregulation had the opposite effect. Mechanical experiments confirmed that ERp29 blocked trophoblast metastasis via inhibiting the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and affecting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study revealed the important role of ERp29 in trophoblast metastasis and improved the mechanical understanding of PE occurrence.