Down-Regulation of Laminin (LN)α5 is Associated with Preeclampsia and Impairs Trophoblast Cell Viability and Invasiveness Through PI3K Signaling Pathway

Background/Aims: Preeclampsia (PE) is a gestational disorder defined as hypertension and proteinuria, which is deemed a major cause of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of placental laminin (LN)-alpha 5 expression in normal and PE pregnancies, as well as evaluating the effects of LN-alpha 5 on trophoblast proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion. Methods: LN-alpha 5 expression levels were examined by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and further confirmed by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. Cell invasion was assessed by matrigel-based transwell assay. LN-alpha 5 DNA methylation in placentas was determined by bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP). Results: LN-alpha 5 expression levels in PE placentas were significantly lower than that of normal pregnancies. Deficiency in LN-alpha 5 expression resulted in decreased trophoblast proliferation and invasion but increased cell apoptosis, meanwhile, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was impaired by LN-alpha 5 silencing. LN-alpha 5 promoter methylation didn't show significant difference between PE and normal placentas. Conclusion: LN-alpha 5 downregulation is associated with PE placenta and impairs trophoblast viability and invasiveness, which could be a causative factor of PE pathogenesis. (C) 2018 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel