Evaluation of serum amyloid A (SAA) in processes related to embrionary implantation and its effects on human cytotrophoblast

• Grant number: 09/05354-0
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: July 01, 2009 - December 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology
• Principal researcher: Ana Campa
• Grantee: Ana Campa
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Our research group has demonstrated immunomodulatory activities of SAA in human leukocytes, such as production of proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). These findings point SAA as an important element for the genesis and progression of diseases. Although the knowledge about the effects of SAA in immune cells has increased, its role in other cells types has been neglected. Recently, it was described that first trimester trophoblasts showed an augment of SAA mRNA at weeks 10 and 12 of human pregnancy. This finding suggests that SAA plays a role during early fetal development. In this study, our aim is to investigate the presence of SAA in human extravillous trophoblast during differentiation and invasion processes. After that, we intent to silence genes for SAA in human trophoblast and evaluate the ability of these cells in trigger differentiation and invasion. For this purpose, lineage cells from choriocarcinoma will be used to standardize the conditions to silence genes for SAA. We also will investigate the effects of SAA on human trophoblast proliferation, invasion and differentiation; expression and activity of metalloproteinase 2 and 9; release of cytokines; and production of NO. Furthermore, we will verify whether the Toll-like 2 and 4 receptors could mediate the effects promoted by SAA. As a result from this study we consider that it will be possible to evaluate the involvement of SAA in protective/deleterious processes for fetal development and offer new elements of the fetal implantation physiology. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SANDRI, SILVANA; BORBELY, ALEXANDRE URBAN; FERNANDES, ISABELLA; DE OLIVEIRA, EDSON MENDES; KNEBEL, FRANCIELE HINTERHOLZ; RUANO, RODRIGO; ZUGAIB, MARCELO; FILIPPIN-MONTEIRO, FABIOLA; BEVILACQUA, ESTELA; CAMPA, ANA. Serum Amyloid A in the Placenta and Its Role in Trophoblast Invasion. PLoS One, v. 9, n. 3 MAR 10 2014. Web of Science Citations: 10.

BORBELY, ALEXANDRE U.; SANDRI, SILVANA; FERNANDES, ISABELLA R.; PRADO, KAREN M.; CARDOSO, ELAINE C.; CORREA-SILVA, SIMONE; ALBUQUERQUE, RENATA; KNOEFLER, MARTIN; BELTRAO-BRAGA, PATRICIA; CAMPA, ANA; BEVILACQUA, ESTELA. The term basal plate of the human placenta as a source of functional extravillous trophoblast cells. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, v. 12, JAN 28 2014. Web of Science Citations: 16.