Long-term subculture induces syncytialization and influent the response to bisphenol A (BPA) of placental JEG-3 cells

Abstract

The placenta is a temporary organ that exists only during pregnancy, responsible for connecting the mother and the fetus. During placental development, the cytotrophoblast cells differentiate into multinucleated, syncytialized cells that envelop the chorionic villi, a process known as syncytialization. These syncytiotrophoblast cells serve as a barrier between maternal circulation and the fetus and secrete important hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estrogen, and progesterone. Proper regulation of trophoblast differentiation and hormone secretion is crucial throughout pregnancy, as disruption of these processes can lead to pregnancy failure. Previous studies showed that Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), negatively impacts pregnancy. It affects placental development, tissue morphology, hormone secretion, and probably increase the risk of pregnancy complications. Furthermore, some compounds like hCG and forskolin induce the cell differentiation and affecting hormone secretion in trophoblast. In this study, we found that long-term subculture of JEG-3 cells indicates an increase in cell differentiation, alterations in physiological properties, and changes in hormone secretion profiles. Our results also demonstrate distinct responses in JEG-3 cells to BPA stimulation in later passages, suggesting that long-term subculture alters cell characteristics and elicits varied responses to stimuli. This implies potential harm from BPA exposure at different stages of pregnancy, albeit through different mechanisms.