"Real life" polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures modulate hCG, hPL and hPLGF levels and disrupt the physiological ratio of MMP-2 to MMP-9 and VEGF expression in human placenta cell lines.

Using JEG-3 and BeWo cells, we examined the effect of "real life" mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), at doses reported in maternal blood (Mix I) and in placental tissue (Mix II), on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), placental lactogen (hPL) and placental growth factor (hPLGF) secretion, protein expression and immunolocalization. Additionally, the action of PAH mixtures on basal and hormone-stimulated matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression was evaluated. Under basal conditions, the PAH mixtures increased hCG and decreased hPLGF levels in both cell lines, while hPL expression was stimulated in JEG-3 and inhibited in BeWo.

Apelin and apelin receptor in human placenta: Expression, signalling pathway and regulation of trophoblast JEG‑3 and BeWo cells proliferation and cell cycle.

Placentation requires the production of numerous growth factors, hormones and transcription factors. Many of them, like the adipose tissue‑derived leptin or adiponectin, have been identified in the placenta and their role has been established in the proliferation and subsequent development of the placenta. Apelin is another adipokine known for proliferative effects in different cell types.

Differential effects of ambient PAH mixtures on cellular and steroidogenic properties of placental JEG-3 and BeWo cells.

We determined the action of a mixture of 16 priority PAHs present in high concentrations in maternal blood (Mix I) and the same but in low concentrations detected in placental tissue (Mix II) on AhR, ERα, NFκB, CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and COMT protein expression and cell proliferation of JEG-3 and BeWo cell lines. Both mixtures induced AhR expression in JEG-3 and BeWo; however, in JEG-3 cells expression of ERα, CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and COMT was upregulated, while in BeWo cells downregulated. The opposite effect of mixtures on NFκB protein expression (inhibitory in JEG-3, stimulatory in BeWo) was noted.

Review: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-Action on placental function and health risks in future life of newborns.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common environmental pollutants, which are released as products of incomplete combustion processes. Harmful effects of PAHs exposure on human health are observed in increased morbidity of respiratory, cardiovascular and immunological diseases. A particularly sensitive group to PAHs exposure are pregnant women and their developing offspring.

Co-culture of JEG-3, BeWo and syncBeWo cell lines with adrenal H295R cell line: an alternative model for examining endocrine and metabolic properties of the fetoplacental unit.

Monocultures of different placental cells are used for many physiological and toxicological studies; however, they are not a true reflection of the interaction between placenta and fetus. To develop the most appropriate model to study endocrine and metabolic properties of fetoplacental unit we used three co-culture models of placental cells nonfusogenic JEG-3, unsyncytialised BeWo (BeWo) and syncytialised BeWo (syncBeWo) cultured with adrenal (H295R) cells. As an end point of endocrine properties we investigated steroids receptors expression and steroid secretion, while as metabolic properties AhR, CYP1A1and COMT expression.

Cell-specific and dose-dependent effects of PAHs on proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis protein expression and hormone secretion by placental cell lines.

In the preset study we measured the concentrations of 16 priority PAHs in maternal blood and placental tissue by using the GC-MS/MS system, and investigated the effects of selected PAHs (naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, pyrene) and mixtures on BeWo and JEG-3 human placental cell line proliferation (Alamar Blue), cytotoxicity (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (XTT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acid phosphatase (AP), endocrine activity (progesterone and estradiol secretion) and apoptosis (cyclin A1, cyclin D2, cdk 2, cdk 4, Bcl-xl, Bax, and caspase-3 protein expression). The concentrations of 16 PAHs in maternal blood were higher than in placental tissue. In JEG-3 cells except for naphthalene, all PAHs studied and their mixtures at maternal doses, and only naphthalene at placental doses, increased XTT, while in BeWo cells, placental doses increased XTT and AP activity.

Resistin is a survival factor for porcine ovarian follicular cells.

Previously, we demonstrated the expression of resistin in the porcine ovary, the regulation of its expression and its direct effect on ovarian steroidogenesis. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of resistin on cell proliferation and apoptosis in a co-culture model of porcine granulosa and theca cells. First, we analysed the effect of resistin at 1 and 10  ng/ml alone or in combination with FSH- and IGF1 on ovarian cell proliferation with an alamarBlue assay and protein expression of cyclins A and B using western blot.

Regulatory Role of Gonadotropins and Local Factors Produced by Ovarian Follicles on In Vitro Resistin Expression and Action on Porcine Follicular Steroidogenesis.

Resistin, a hormone secreted by adipocytes, is thought to be important in reproduction. Our previous study demonstrated resistin expression in porcine ovarian follicles and its direct effect on steroidogenesis. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of gonadotropins and the local ovarian factors, such as insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF1) and steroids (progesterone, testosterone, and 17 beta-estradiol), on the expression and secretion of resistin, as well as its steroidogenic action.

In vitro interaction between resistin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ in porcine ovarian follicles.

In the present study, using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting methods, we quantified the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, PPARα and PPARβ in different sized ovarian follicles (small (SF), medium (MF) and large (LF) follicles) in prepubertal and adult pigs. In prepubertal pigs, PPARγ and PPARα expression was highest in LF; however, PPARβ expression did not differ among SF, MF and LF. In mature pigs, only protein expression of PPARγ and PPARα increased during ovarian follicle development.