Sae Kyung Choi

Oncostatin M stimulates cell migration and proliferation by down-regulating E-cadherin in HTR8/SVneo cell line through STAT3 activation

BackgroundDuring the first trimester of pregnancy, trophoblastic E-cadherin expression is down-regulated, thereby allowing extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) to acquire the potential for migration and invasiveness. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of OSM on the migration and proliferation of EVT cell line HTR8/SVneo with regard to its effects on the expression of E-cadherin and STAT3 activation.MethodsWe investigated the effects of OSM on RNA and protein expression of E-cadherin by real time RT-PCR analyses, western blotting, and indirect immunofluorescence staining in HTR8/SVneo cells, as well as the effects on cell migration and proliferation. The selective signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 inhibitor, stattic, and STAT3 siRNA were used to investigate STAT3 activation by OSM.ResultsOSM significantly reduced RNA and protein expression of E-cadherin. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of HTR8/SVneo cells also revealed the down-regulation of E-cadherin, compared with the controls. OSM-stimulated cell migration was attenuated by anti-gp130 antibodies. OSM-induced STAT3 phosphorylation, and the down-regulation of E-cadherin by OSM treatment was restored by stattic and STAT3 siRNA. In addition, OSM-stimulated migration and proliferation were significantly suppressed by STAT3 inhibition.ConclusionsThis study suggests that OSM stimulates the migration and proliferation of EVTs during the first trimester of pregnancy through the down-regulation of E-cadherin. In addition, this study suggests that the effects of OSM on migration and proliferation are related to STAT3 activation, which is important in trophoblast invasiveness.

The effects of oncostatin M on trophoblast cells: Influence on matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9, and invasion activity

Oncostatin M (OSM), a cytokine of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family, can either promote or inhibit cell growth in various normal and tumor cells and is expressed in rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, multiple myeloma, and other inflammatory conditions. We investigated one of the possible mechanisms involved in trophoblast invasion using the human placental cell line derived from first trimester extravillous trophoblasts (HTR8SVneo): modulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 expression and enzymatic activity. And we addressed also the effects of exogenous OSM on the in vitro invasion activity of HTR8SVneo cells. We found that OSM enhanced the constitutive RNA and protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in HTR8SVneo cell lines. Also, OSM treatment increased significantly the enzymatic activity of MMP-2 on gelatin zymography. The effects OSM on enzymatic activity of MMP-9 was not significant. We found that OSM increased invasion activities of HTR8SVneo cells in time-dependent and dose-dependent manners. This study suggests that OSM enhances invasion activities of extravillous trophoblasts during the first trimester through the increased enzyme activity of gelatinases, especially MMP-2.

Antenatal sonographic features of ileal atresia

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to determine the antenatal sonographic features of ileal atresia.

STAT3 and ERK Signaling Pathways Are Implicated in the Invasion Activity by Oncostatin M through Induction of Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and 9

Purpose Our previous studies have shown that oncostatin M (OSM) promotes trophoblast invasion activity through increased enzyme activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9. We further investigated OSM-induced intracellular signaling mechanisms associated with these events in the immortalized human trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo. Materials and Methods We investigated the effects of OSM on RNA and protein expression of MMP-2 and -9 in the first-trimester extravillous trophoblast cell line (HTR8/SVneo) via Western blot. The selective signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 inhibitor, stattic, STAT3 siRNA, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) siRNA were used to investigate STAT3 and ERK activation by OSM. The effects of STAT3 and ERK inhibitors on OSM-induced enzymatic activities of MMP-2 and -9 and invasion activity were further determined via Western blot and gelatin zymography. Results OSM-induced MMP-2 and -9 protein expression was significantly suppressed by STAT3 inhibition with stattic and STAT3 siRNA silencing, whereas the ERK1/2 inhibitor (U0126) and ERK silencing significantly suppressed OSM-induced MMP-2 protein expression. OSM-induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymatic activities were significantly decreased by stattic pretreatment. The increased invasion activity induced by OSM was significantly suppressed by STAT3 and ERK1/2 inhibition, though to a greater extent by STAT3 inhibition. Conclusion Both STAT3 and ERK signaling pathways are involved in OSM-induced invasion activity of HTR8/SVneo cells. Activation of STAT3 appears to be critical for the OSM-mediated increase in invasiveness of HTR8/SVneo cells.

Sonographic assessment of fetal occiput position during labor for the prediction of labor dystocia and perinatal outcomes.

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the effect of the occiput posterior (OP) position on dystocia and perinatal outcomes. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of 162 primiparous women. We performed intrapartum sonography, and fetal occiput positions were recorded. The relationships between the position of the occiput and the course of labor and perinatal outcomes were investigated. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.2. Results: Fifty-six of 162 fetuses were found to be in the OP position during the first stage of labor. Eight (80.0%) of 10 fetuses in the OP position during the second stage were among the 56 that were in OP position during the first stage. The rate of cesarean sections performed in the OP position group during the first stage was significantly higher than the rate in the non-OP position group (37.5% versus 8.5%, p < 0.0001). The duration of the second stage of labor was longer and neonatal complications occurred more frequently in the OP position group during the second stage than in the non-OP position group (77.9  ±  33.4 min versus 52.2  ± 26.6 min, p = 0.0104; 50.0% versus 17.2%, p = 0.0118). Conclusions: The OP position may be a useful predicator for labor dystocia that can lead to poor neonatal outcomes.

The efficacy of peripartum transthoracic echocardiography in women with preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE To examine the features and efficacy of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in preeclampsia. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 145 pregnant women with preeclampsia, who underwent TTE at Seoul St. Marys Hospital between July 2006 and June 2016. We analyzed echocardiographic features in preeclampsia and the relationship between the severity of preeclampsia and TTE findings. Additionally, we examined the predictive echocardiographic factors of persistent hypertension and calculated the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for multiple regression models by considering systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). RESULTS Hemodynamic findings assessed by TTE in women with preeclampsia included systolic and diastolic dysfunction, increased left ventricular mass, and enlarged left atrium. Diastolic dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) were more common in preeclampsia with severe features (39.84% vs. 32.05%, p=0.010, and 21.79% vs. 8.96%, p=0.041, respectively). In the patients with systolic dysfunction, the adjusted OR for persistent hypertension was 17.41 (95% CI=2.83-107.20). The ORs for grade 1 and grade 2 diastolic dysfunction were 12.58 and 32.84, respectively (95% CI, 2.99-52.92 and 3.61-298.58, respectively). When LVH assessed by TTE was considered with diastolic dysfunction, the risk for persistent hypertension increased (OR 19.28; 95% CI-4.36-85.20). CONCLUSION TTE not only can reveal the severity of preeclampsia, but also can be a useful tool for the follow-up of persistent hypertension.

Nasolabial Dimensions of the Facial Profile at 20 to 37 Weeks’ Gestation on 2- and 3-Dimensional Sonography in Normal Korean Fetuses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate normal nasolabial dimensions using the images of facial profiles in normal Korean fetuses.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Congenital Lipoid Adrenal Hyperplasia (CLAH) by Molecular Genetic Testing in Korean Siblings

Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia (CLAH) is caused by mutations to the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) gene associated with the inability to synthesize all adrenal and gonadal steroids. Inadequate treatment in an infant with this condition may result in sudden death from an adrenal crisis. We report a case in which CLAH developed in Korean siblings; the second child was prenatally diagnosed because the first child was affected and low maternal serum estriol was detected in a prenatal screening test. To our knowledge, this is the first prenatal diagnosis of the Q258X StAR mutation, which is the only consistent genetic cluster identified to date in Japanese and Korean populations.

Prenatal diagnosis of epignathus with multiple malformations in one fetus of a twin pregnancy using three-dimensional ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging

Epignathus is an extremely rare type of congenital teratoma arising in the oral cavity. Although it is a benign tumor, it is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates because of severe airway obstruction and other malformations. We present a case of epignathus affecting one fetus in a twin pregnancy. The tumor was associated with multiple congenital malformations including cleft palate, bifid tongue, bifid uvula, congenital heart defect, and bilateral inguinal hernias. The diagnostic value of three-dimensional ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging was explored with respect to antenatal counseling and peripartum management.

Optimal gestational age of delivery to decrease neonatal morbidity in preterm pregnancies in Korea

Aims:  Preterm birth is the most common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Neonatal morbidity and mortality are known to decrease significantly after 34 weeks in preterm births following preterm labor, and after 32 weeks in preterm births following preterm rupture of the membranes. However, these outcomes may not apply to Korean preterm neonates. This study analyzed the morbidity of preterm neonates based on gestational age to determine the optimal gestational age of delivery following preterm labor.