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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

223. Interleukin-11 inhibits human trophoblast invasion via STAT-3 and not MAPK, indicating a likely role in the decidual restraint of trophoblast invasion during placentation

P. Paiva A B , L. A. Salamonsen A , U. Manuelpillai B and E. Dimitriadis A
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- Author Affiliations

A Prince Henry's Institute, Clayton, Vic., Australia.

B Department of obstretrics and gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia.

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 20(9) 23-23 https://doi.org/10.1071/SRB08Abs223
Published: 28 August 2008

Abstract

Successful pregnancy depends on the precise regulation of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion into the uterine decidua, primarily by decidua-derived factors. In humans, during early pregnancy, interleukin (IL)-11 is maximally expressed in the decidua1, with its receptor, IL-11-receptor α (Rα) also identified on invasive EVT in vivo2. While a role for IL-11 in EVT migration has been established2, whether it also plays a role in regulating EVT invasion is unknown. We investigated whether IL-11 influences human EVT invasion and the signalling pathways and underlying mechanisms involved using the HTR-8/SVneo immortalised EVT cell-line and primary EVT as models for EVT. The effect of IL-11 on tyrosine phosphorylation (p) of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 was determined by Western Blot. EVT invasion was assessed using in vitro Matrigel invasion assays. To elucidate the mechanisms by which IL-11 may influence EVT invasion, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) activity were assessed by gelatin and plasminogen zymography / uPA activity assay respectively. Tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMPs)-1 and –2, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 and –2 and uPA receptor (uPAR) were assessed by ELISA whereas TIMP-3 was assessed by Western Blot. EVT adhesive properties and integrin expression were assessed by in vitro adhesion assays. IL-11 (100 ng/mL) significantly inhibited invasion of EVT cells by 40–60% (P < 0.001). This effect was abolished by inhibitors of STAT-3 but not of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. IL-11 (100 ng/mL) had no effect on MMP-2 and –9, TIMP 1–3, uPA, uPAR, PAI-1 and –2 in EVT conditioned media and / or cell lysates. IL-11 (100 ng/mL) also did not regulate EVT cell adhesion or integrin expression. These data demonstrate that IL-11 inhibits human EVT invasion via STAT-3 indicating an important role for IL-11 in the decidual restraint of EVT invasion during normal pregnancy.

(1) Dimitriadis et al. (2003) Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 1, 34–38

(2) Paiva et al. (2007) Endocrinol. 148, 5566–72