Endovascular trophoblast expresses CD59 to evade complement-dependent cytotoxicity

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2019 Jun 15:490:57-67. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.04.006. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Abstract

In the human placenta, extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) invade maternal decidual tissues (interstitial trophoblasts) and maternal spiral arteries (endovascular trophoblasts). Although endovascular trophoblasts are directly exposed to maternal blood containing complement components, they are not eliminated by complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). In this study, we investigated the expression and possible function of CD59, one of the membrane-bound complement regulators, in EVTs. Immunohistochemistry of early embryo implantation sites revealed that CD59 was hardly expressed on interstitial trophoblasts, whereas it was intensely expressed on endovascular trophoblasts. Using the human EVT-like cell line Swan71, we established CD59-silencing Swan71 cells (Sw_CD59sh) and non-silencing control Swan71 cells (Sw_CTRsh). In vitro cell apoptosis assay showed that Sw_CD59sh cells were significantly more susceptible to CDC as compared to Sw_CTRsh. Our results suggest that CD59 confers some protection against maternal complement attack to the endovascular trophoblasts.

Keywords: Extravillous trophoblast; Fetal growth restriction; Platelet; Preeclampsia; Spiral artery remodeling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CD59 Antigens / metabolism*
  • Cell Hypoxia
  • Cell Line
  • Complement Membrane Attack Complex / metabolism
  • Complement System Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic*
  • Decidua / metabolism
  • Embryo Implantation / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Trophoblasts / metabolism*

Substances

  • CD59 Antigens
  • Complement Membrane Attack Complex
  • CD59 protein, human
  • Complement System Proteins