Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2001 Jul;44(7):1262-1268.

The Influence of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Human Placental Lactogen on Growth and Differentiation of Placental Trophoblast

• Kim DJ
• Ahn HY
• Roh SR
• Kang MJ
• Baik EJ
• Shin JC
• Namkoong S
• Bae SN

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are many factors that influence the differentiation and growth of trophoblasts. During differentiation of trophoblasts, two major hormones are secreted ; human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and human placental lactogen (hPL). These two hormones are secreted in a peculiar pattern during pregnancy and function of these hormones is not yet fully understood. Also, it is not known whether these hormones directly influence the differentiation and growth of trophoblasts. On the other hand, it is known that choriocarcinoma cells are undifferentiated, so they are unable to form syncytiotrophblasts. And many factors may be associated with this inhibitory potential.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to observe whether the hCG and hPL are associated with differentiation and growth of early placental trophoblasts and becoming malignant. METHOD: The hCG, hPL, IL-6 and insulin were added to cytotrophoblasts isolated from normal 8 to 10 gestational weeks' placental tissues by a degree of concentration, and observed the secreted hPL concentration and morphological change to syncytiotrophoblasts daily. And it was performed in Bewo cells in same manner. RESULT: The increased hPL secretion was noted in hCG, hPL, IL-6 and insulin were added normal trophoblasts and this may result from differentiation of cytotrophoblasts to syncytiotrophoblasts. Also, morphological changes to syncytiotrohoblasts was observed at the same time. But, Increased hPL secretion and syncytiotrophoblasts formation was not detected in Bewo cells.
CONCLUSION
In this study, it seems that hCG, hPL, IL-6 and insulin had an influence on differentiation and growth of normal trophoblasts. On the other hand, no changes in hPL secretion and morphology at the choriocarcinoma cell line tells us that defects of differentiation in choriocarcinoma is due to abnormalities of the receptors on hCG and hPL or a differentiation associated gene, not a defect of these hormones themselves.

Keyword

Trophoblast; Differentiation; Bewo cell; hCG; hPL

MeSH Terms

Cell Line
Choriocarcinoma
Chorionic Gonadotropin*
Female
Gonadotropins
Hand
Humans*
Insulin
Interleukin-6
Placental Lactogen*
Pregnancy
Trophoblasts*
Chorionic Gonadotropin
Gonadotropins
Insulin
Interleukin-6
Placental Lactogen