2-Arachidonoylglycerol impairs human cytotrophoblast cells syncytialization: influence of endocannabinoid signalling in placental development

M. A. Costa, E. Keating, B. M. Fonseca, N. A. Teixeira, G. Correia-da-Silva*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A balanced cytotrophoblast cell turnover is crucial for placental development and anomalies in this process associated with gestational diseases. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has emerged as a new player in several biological processes. However, its influence during placental development is still unknown. We report here the expression of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) main metabolic enzymes in human cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblast. We also showed that 2-AG induced a decrease in placental alkaline phosphatase activity, human chorionic gonadotropin secretion and Leptin mRNA levels. Moreover, 2-AG reduced glial cell missing 1 and syncytin-2 transcription and the number of nuclei in syncytium. These effects were mediated by cannabinoid receptors and may result from 2-AG inhibition of the cAMP/PKA signalling pathway. Our data suggest that 2-AG may interfere with the biochemical and morphological differentiation of human cytotrophoblasts, through a CB receptor-dependent mechanism, shedding light on a role for the ECS in placental development.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)386-394
Number of pages9
JournalMolecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Volume399
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Jan 2015

Keywords

  • 2-arachinoylglycerol
  • Endocannabinoid signalling
  • Human cytotrophoblasts
  • Placenta
  • Syncytialization

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