2-Arachidonoylglycerol impairs human cytotrophoblast cells syncytialization: Influence of endocannabinoid signalling in placental development

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Costa, MA (Author) Other; Keating, E (Author) Other; Fonseca, BM (Author) Other; Teixeira, NA (Author) FFUP; Correia da Silva, G (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology

Vol. 399

Pages: 386-394

ISSN: 0303-7207

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 28 Citations

Scopus - 31 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-ZE8

DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.09.005

Abstract (EN): A balanced cytotrophoblast cell turnover is crucial for placental development and anomalies in this process associated with gestational diseases. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has emerged as a new player in several biological processes. However, its influence during placental development is still unknown. We report here the expression of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) main metabolic enzymes in human cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblast. We also showed that 2-AG induced a decrease in placental alkaline phosphatase activity, human chorionic gonadotropin secretion and Leptin mRNA levels. Moreover, 2-AG reduced glial cell missing I and syncytin-2 transcription and the number of nuclei in syncytium. These effects were mediated by cannabinoid receptors and may result from 2-AG inhibition of the cAMP/PKA signalling pathway. Our data suggest that 2-AG may interfere with the biochemical and morphological differentiation of human cytotrophoblasts, through a CB receptor-dependent mechanism, shedding light on a role for the ECS in placental development.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9