Human amniotic fluid glycoproteins expressing sialyl Lewis carbohydrate antigens stimulate progesterone production in human trophoblasts in vitro

Background: Progesterone is thought to mediate immune modulator
effects by regulating uterine responsiveness. The aim of the study
was to clarify the effect of transferrin and glycodelin A (former
name PP14) as sialyl Lewis X-expressing glycoproteins on the
release of progesterone by trophoblast cells in vitro. Methods:
Cytotrophoblast cells were prepared from human term placentas by
standard dispersion of villous tissue followed by a Percoll
gradient centrifugation step. Trophoblasts were incubated with
varying concentrations (50-300 mug/ml) of human amniotic fluid- and
serum-transferrin as well as with glycodelin A. Culture
supernatants were assayed for progesterone, human chorionic
gonadotropin (hCG) and cortisol by enzyme immunometric methods.
Results: The release of progesterone is increased in amniotic fluid
transferrin- and glycodelin A-treated trophoblast cell cultures
compared to untreated trophoblast cells. There is no relation
between transferrin and the hCG or cortisol production of
trophoblast cells. Conclusion: The results suggest that sialyl
Lewis carbohydrate antigen-expressing amniotic fluid glycoproteins
modulate the endocrine function of trophoblasts in culture by
upregulating progesterone production. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger
AG, Basel.