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Evidence for a Correlation between Trophoblast Invasiveness and STAT3 Activity
Author(s) -
Corvinus Florian M.,
Fitzgerald Justine S.,
Friedrich Karlheinz,
Markert Udo R.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0897.2003.00099.x
Subject(s) - trophoblast , biology , choriocarcinoma , stat3 , microbiology and biotechnology , signal transduction , phenotype , cancer research , placenta , fetus , gene , genetics , pregnancy
Problem: Extravillous trophoblast cells are capable of invading decidual tissue during early pregnancy. This property is reminiscent of cancer cells. The invasiveness of trophoblasts, however, extends only to a well‐regulated limit. Signal transduction processes underlying this phenomenon are as yet poorly characterized. Many factors involved in trophoblast invasiveness are known to trigger intracellular signaling cascades in other cell types that ultimately lead to the activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). STAT3 activity was recently found related to the malignant phenotype of different tumor cells and potentially contributes to their invasive properties. Method of Study: We investigated the status of STAT3 activity in ex vivo trophoblast cells from first trimester and term placentae employing an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and compared it with that of a highly malignant choriocarcinoma cell line. Results: Specific DNA binding activity of two STAT3 variants (STAT3 α and β ) was observed in immature trophoblasts and appeared to be lost in term placentae. The malignant phenotype of choriocarcinoma cells coincides with a high degree of STAT3 activity. Conclusion: These results suggest a connection between STAT3 activity and trophoblast invasiveness.