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Progranulin shows cytoprotective effects on trophoblast cells in vitro but does not antagonize TNF-α-induced apoptosis

  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aims

The glycoprotein progranulin directly binds to TNF-receptors and thereby can antagonize the inflammatory effects of TNF-α. Here we analyzed the impact of both cytokines on cytotoxicity and viability of trophoblast cells.

Methods

Isolated villous first trimester human trophoblast cells and the human choriocarcinoma cell line BeWo were treated with recombinant human progranulin and TNF-α. Analyses were performed by LDH- and MTT-assay and measurement of caspase-8-activity.

Results

Progranulin treatment showed some cytoprotective effects on isolated trophoblast cells. However, TNF-α-induced apoptosis was not antagonized by addition of progranulin. Effects were similar, but more pronounced in BeWo cells.

Conclusion

The cytoprotective activity of progranulin on trophoblast cells in vitro was only weak and of doubtful biologic relevance. It was not able to antagonize TNF-α. Future studies should focus on possible paracrine activities of progranulin.

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Conflict of interest

The authors reported of no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rostock, Suedring 81, 18059, Rostock, Germany

    Johannes Stubert, Kathrin Waldmann, Max Dieterich, Dagmar-Ulrike Richter & Volker Briese

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  1. Johannes Stubert
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  2. Kathrin Waldmann
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  3. Max Dieterich
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  4. Dagmar-Ulrike Richter
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  5. Volker Briese
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Johannes Stubert.

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404_2014_3296_MOESM1_ESM.tif

Supplemental Figure Representative photographs of isolated first trimester trophoblast cells in culture after an incubation time of 48 h. The non-adherent cells show a spheroid shape and aggregate to pseudosyncytial clusters. Analysis of cell morphology did not reveal obvious differences between different groups. Scale bar = 100 µm Supplementary material 1 (TIFF 2541 kb)

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Stubert, J., Waldmann, K., Dieterich, M. et al. Progranulin shows cytoprotective effects on trophoblast cells in vitro but does not antagonize TNF-α-induced apoptosis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 290, 867–873 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3296-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3296-3

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