Department for Biology of Reproduction, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Sep 20;25(18):10096. doi: 10.3390/ijms251810096.
Galectins are a class of lectins that are extensively expressed in all organisms. Galectins are involved in a range of functions, including early development, tissue regeneration, cancer and inflammation. It has been shown that galectin-8 is expressed in the villous and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells of the human placenta; however, its physiological role in pregnancy establishment has not been elucidated. Taking these factors into account, we investigated the functional role of galectin-8 in HTR-8/SVneo cells-a human EVT cell line-and human primary cytotrophoblast cells isolated from a first-trimester placenta. We analyzed the effects of recombinant human galectin-8 (rh galectin-8) on the adhesion, migration and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells. We used qPCR, cell-based ELISA (cELISA) and gelatin zymography to study the effects of galectin-8 on mediators of these processes, such as integrin subunits alpha-1 and beta-1 and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9, on the mRNA and protein levels. Further, we studied the effects of galectin-8 on primary cytotrophoblast cells' invasion. Galectin-8 stimulated the adhesion, migration and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells, as well as the invasion of primary cytotrophoblasts. In addition, the MMP-2 and -9 levels were increased, while the expression of integrins alpha-1 and beta-1 was not affected. Galectin-8 has the ability to positively affect EVTs' invasion, so it can be considered a significant factor in the trophoblast cell invasion process.
半乳糖凝集素是一类广泛表达于所有生物的凝集素。半乳糖凝集素参与多种功能，包括早期发育、组织再生、癌症和炎症。已经表明，半乳糖凝集素-8在人胎盘的绒毛和绒毛外滋养层（EVT）细胞中表达；然而，其在妊娠建立中的生理作用尚未阐明。考虑到这些因素，我们研究了半乳糖凝集素-8在 HTR-8/SVneo 细胞（一种人 EVT 细胞系）和从第一孕期胎盘分离的人原代滋养层细胞中的功能作用。我们分析了重组人半乳糖凝集素-8（rh galectin-8）对 HTR-8/SVneo 细胞黏附、迁移和侵袭的影响。我们使用 qPCR、细胞 ELISA（cELISA）和明胶酶谱法研究了半乳糖凝集素-8对这些过程的介质的影响，例如整合素亚基 alpha-1 和 beta-1 以及基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs）-2 和 -9，在 mRNA 和蛋白水平上。此外，我们研究了半乳糖凝集素-8对原代滋养层细胞侵袭的影响。半乳糖凝集素-8刺激 HTR-8/SVneo 细胞的黏附、迁移和侵袭，以及原代滋养层细胞的侵袭。此外，MMP-2 和 -9 水平增加，而整合素 alpha-1 和 beta-1 的表达不受影响。半乳糖凝集素-8具有积极影响 EVT 侵袭的能力，因此可以被认为是滋养层细胞侵袭过程中的重要因素。
