H 2 S Improves the Rate of Migration in Trophoblast Cells

Introduction The migration of trophoblast cells during the first trimester of pregnancy is crucial to placentation process. Defective migration of trophoblastic cells may affect the remodelling (pseduovasculogenesis) of spiral arteries resulting in Hypoxia/Reoxygenation (H/R) episodes. These repeated H/R events can leads to oxidative stress and release of anti‐angiogenic, anti‐inflammatory and pro‐oxidant factors in maternal circulation causing endothelial dysfunction resulting in adverse pregnancy outcomes like preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The anti‐inflammatory, pro‐angiogenic and pro‐migratory effect of H 2 S on endothelial cells have been documented in literature. So we hypothesized that H 2 S or its mimics (NaHS) may also affect the migration capacity of trophoblast cells during placentation. Methods The immortalized first trimester extravillous trophoblast cell line (HTR‐8/SVneo) were given various treatments like 50μM NaHS, Hypoxia/Reoxygenation [H/R (one and two cycles)] and Hypoxia/Reoxygenation supplemented with 50μM NaHS. The cell migration was assessed using wound scratch assay following these various exposures. The percentage wound area covered was assessed in all groups. The difference in wound covered area was statistically analysed. [ten different zone in triplicate (i.e. thirty) were used for calculating the wound areas] Results The percentage of wound covered area (rate of migration) increased in cells which received 50μM NaHS [control (32.8%), NaHS (67.5%)] whereas it reduced to 8.7% in Hypoxia/Reoxygenation one cycle exposed cells and more so (−18.9%) in the cells which received two cycles of Hypoxia/Reoxygenation. However the cells which received Hypoxia/Reoxygenation (one cycle and two cycles) and showed reduced migration, improved their rate of migration when supplemented with 50μM NaHS. [one cycle H/R (8.7%), one cycle H/R+NaHS (39.8) and two cycles H/R (−18.9%), two cycles H/R+NaHS (29.5%)]. The difference in wound covered area among various groups was statistically significant [(control vs NaHS; p<0.001, control vs one cycle H/R; p<0.001, control vs two cycle H/R; p<0.001, one cycle H/R vs one cycle H/R+NaHS; p <0.001, two cycle H/R vs two cycles H/R+NaHS; p<0.001 (one‐way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction)]. Conclusion These results imply that H 2 S may promote the migration of trophoblastic cells, which might then lead to adequate conversion of spiral arteries into wider diameter low resistance vessels having good placental perfusion. In future the role of H 2 S on cellular and molecular factors responsible for cell migration needs to explored. IESC/T‐467/23.12.2014 Support or Funding Information F.8‐397/A‐397/2015/Rs This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .