TROPHOBLAST STARD7 EXPRESSION IN RESPONSE TO CELL INJURY

Mar del Plata

Congreso; SLIM V- Lasri; 2015

SLIMP

StarD7 encodes an intracellular lipid transport protein initially identifiedas an up-regulated gene in the choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cell line. So far it isunclear how changes in the placental environment affect StarD7expression.Objectives: This work was performed to investigate StarD7 expression introphoblast cells: a) under hypoxic-reoxygenation conditions and b) in anuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) loss- and gain-of-function studies.Methods: HTR8/SVneo cells were exposed to hypoxia for 1 h and thenreoxygenated for 1, 2, or 3 h. In addition, Nrf2 loss- and gain-of-functionassays were performed in JEG-3 cells by transfection with a specific siRNAor an expression vector, respectively. Western blot, immunofluorescenceand qRT-PCR were used to explore protein and transcript expression.Results: StarD7 protein expression increased in response to hypoxia andreoxygenation exposure for 1, 2, or 3 h. Moreover, reoxygenation resultedin the upregulation of Nrf2 at both mRNA and protein levels, and in hemeoxygenase-1 mRNA expression (encoding a phase II detoxifying enzyme).Furthermore, Nrf2 cell transfection assays increased StarD7 expression. Incontrast, knocking down Nrf2 led to a diminished StarD7 transcript levelindicating that these genes are positively correlated.Conclusions: These results suggest that StarD7 is a target gene of oxidativestress response. Current studies are being conducted to validate StarD7 as auseful marker of placental cell injury