Interaction of extravillous trophoblast galectin-1 and mucin(s)—Is there a functional relevance?

Abstract

In the course of embryo implantation extensive interaction of the trophoblast with uterine tissue is crucial for adequate trophoblast invasion. This interaction is highly controlled, and it has been pointed out that a specific glycocode and changes in glycosylation may be important for successful implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. Both uterine and trophoblast cells have been shown to express cell surface glycoconjugates and sugar binding proteins, such as mucins (MUC) and galectins (gals). An increasing number of studies have investigated potential candidates interacting in this process. However, knowledge about the biochemical nature of the interactions and their importance for trophoblast cell function, and, consequently, for pregnancy outcome are still lacking. This review is aimed at deliberating the possibility that mucins, as heavily glycosylated proteins, might be among the functionally relevant galectin ligands in human trophoblast, based on both published data and our original research.

Exploration of the regulation and control mechanisms of miR‑145 in trophoblast cell proliferation and invasion

“…Genes associated with trophoblast invasion include heme oxygenase-1, epidermal growth factor (EGF), VEGF and MUC1 (21,31,32). The results of the present study and previous research indicate that there are two pathways of MUC1 in cancer cell-cell interactions; in tumor cells, MUC1 facilitates metastasis and inhibits cell-cell adhesion by binding to ICAM-1 and E-selectin (21), whereas in the female reproductive tract MUC1 overexpression reduced the invasion capacity of HTR-8/SVneo cells (20). The primary aim of the present study was to combine miR-145 and MUC1 to investigate the effect of miR-145 in trophoblast cells and confirm MUC1 as a target of miR-145.…”

“…It has been reported that miR-145 may be able to regulate the expression of sex determining region Y-box 2 and influence the proliferation and invasion ability of JAR and JEG-3 cells in the development of human choriocarcinomas (18,19). Mucin (MUC1) is a type 1 transmembrane protein that serves a vital role in trophoblast cell proliferation and migration (20). Due to its large size, MUC1 works as a lubricant to and affects cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions, reducing cell adhesion in tumor tissues (21).…”

Mucin1 induced trophoblast dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus via Wnt/β-catenin pathway

“…More importantly, our results indicated that high MUC1 protein expression in GDM patients might be associated with impaired glucose uptake and apoptosis in placentas. However, MUC1 overexpression suppresses MMP9 activity and reduces the invasion capacity of HTR-8/SVneo cells [ 23 , 43 ]. In this study, in vitro studies also showed that MUC1 knockdown promoted trophoblast cell proliferation and migration while inhibiting apoptosis (Fig.…”