Altered Production and Cellular Levels of Hydrogen Sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S) in Placental Trophoblasts from Pregnancies Affected by Pre-Eclampsia
Background/Objectives: Hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S) is a vasorelaxant gas and exerts anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects. H<sub>2</sub>S has been implicated in regulating placental vaso-activity and angiogenesis. It is believed that abnormal tro...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Pathophysiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1873-149X/32/1/10 |
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| Summary: | Background/Objectives: Hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S) is a vasorelaxant gas and exerts anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects. H<sub>2</sub>S has been implicated in regulating placental vaso-activity and angiogenesis. It is believed that abnormal trophoblast production of vasodilators and angiogenic factors contributes to pre-eclampsia development. However, little is known about whether aberrant H<sub>2</sub>S production is present in placental trophoblasts from pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Methods: Trophoblasts were isolated from normal and pre-eclamptic placentas. After incubation, cell production of H<sub>2</sub>S in the culture medium and the cellular levels of H<sub>2</sub>S were analyzed by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Expression levels of the three key H<sub>2</sub>S converting enzymes, cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST), were determined by immunohistochemistry. The protein expression of CBS and CSE was assessed by Western blot analysis. Results: (1) Trophoblast production and cellular levels of H<sub>2</sub>S were significantly reduced in cells from pre-eclamptic vs. normal placentas; (2) free H<sub>2</sub>S production was increased in a time-dependent manner in cultured trophoblasts from normal, but not from pre-eclamptic, placentas; and (3) strong CBS and CSE expression was seen in trophoblasts from normal, as opposed to pre-eclamptic, placentas. Reduced CBS and CSE expression in trophoblasts from pre-eclamptic vs. normal placentas were confirmed by Western blot analysis; and (4) 3-MST expression was undetachable in both normal and pre-eclamptic placentas, but 3-MST expression was strongly expressed in the first and second trimester placentas. Conclusions: These data provide plausible evidence that downregulation of CBS and CSE, but not 3-MST, expression may be responsible for reduced free H<sub>2</sub>S production and decreased cellular H<sub>2</sub>S levels in pre-eclamptic placentas. Our data provide further evidence that expression of 3-MST in placental trophoblasts is likely gestational age (developmental)-dependent. |
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| ISSN: | 1873-149X |