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Possible roles for folic acid in the regulation of trophoblast invasion and placental development in normal early human pregnancy

Williams, Paula J.; Bulmer, Judith N.; Innes, Barbara A.; Broughton Pipkin, Fiona

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Authors

Paula J. Williams

Judith N. Bulmer

Barbara A. Innes

Fiona Broughton Pipkin



Abstract

In addition to its role in the prevention of neural tube defects, folic acid has many other physiological functions, including cell proliferation, DNA replication, and antioxidant protection. The aim of this study was to determine the role that folic acid has in regulating placental trophoblast development. Placental explants from placentae at gestational age 7 wk (n ¼ 3) were cultured in folic acid at concentrations of 106 M, 108 M, and 1010 M. Extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion was assessed
following 6-day culture, and explants were used for immunohistochemical evaluation of proliferation (MKI67) and apoptosis (active caspase 3). In addition, an array was performed on cell culture supernatants to examine a range of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). Folic acid increased the invasion of EVT cells in this explant model by between 83% and 19% (P ¼ 0.005), and this was associated with increased MKI67 positivity and decreased active caspase 3 positivity; this effect was concentration dependent and showed a biphasic response. In addition, culture in folic acid increased vascular density, as determined by anti-CD31 immunostaining
(P ¼ 0.05). The increase in EVT invasion correlated with increased placental explant secretion of MMP2 (P ¼ 0.01),
MMP3 (P¼0.01), and MMP9 (P¼0.02). This study demonstrates
that folic acid is potentially important in a number of crucial early stages of placental development, including EVT invasion, angiogenesis, and secretion of MMPs, and highlights the need for further studies to address the benefit of longer-term folic acid supplementation throughout pregnancy to prevent pregnancy disorders associated with deficient placental development, including preeclampsia.

Citation

Williams, P. J., Bulmer, J. N., Innes, B. A., & Broughton Pipkin, F. (2011). Possible roles for folic acid in the regulation of trophoblast invasion and placental development in normal early human pregnancy. Biology of Reproduction, 84(6), https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.110.088351

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 4, 2011
Publication Date Jun 1, 2011
Deposit Date Apr 22, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Biology of Reproduction
Print ISSN 0006-3363
Electronic ISSN 1529-7268
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 84
Issue 6
DOI https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.110.088351
Keywords Folic acid, Placenta, Pregnancy, Trophoblast
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/707462
Publisher URL http://www.biolreprod.org/content/84/6/1148.full

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