The role played by biglycan in the invasive activity of the trophoblast

• Grant number: 13/12243-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2013
• End date: August 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Estela Maris Andrade Forell Bevilacqua
• Grantee: Estela Maris Andrade Forell Bevilacqua
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Simone Correa da Silva

Abstract

The biglycan belongs to the family of small leucine-rich proteoglycans, playing several roles among which stands out a regulatory role in cell migration processes. Particularly in macrophages, the signaling pathway in this process begins with its binding to Toll-like receptor (TRL) 2 and/or 4, which activates ERK, p38, MAPK1/2 and NFkB, resulting in an increased migratory activity and increased production of proinflammatory cytokines by these cells. Results previously obtained in our laboratory immunolocalized biglycan in the cytoplasm of highly invasive trophoblast cells in placentas from the first trimester of pregnancy, but not in the same cell population in placentas of later stages, in which the invasive activity is reduced or almost absent. Gestational pathologies in which the trophoblast invasiveness is exacerbated such as accreta placenta, choriocarcinoma and invasive mole, this proteoglycan was also immunolocalized in the cytoplasm of invasive cells. These findings suggest a role for biglycan also in the migration and invasion of these cells at the maternal-fetal interface. In this context, our hypothesis is that biglycan somehow participates in mechanisms that regulate the activity of the invasive extravillous trophoblast population. In this context, this study will analyze the in vitro effects of this proteoglycan in the functional activity of extravillous trophoblast cells from human placentas mediated by TLR-2 and -4. (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)

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; et al. 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. (13/12243-5, 09/05354-0)