A protein involved in the development of the human placenta could help scientists to improve treatments for recurrent miscarriages and pre-eclampsia.
Scientists at the University of Sheffield, England, discovered that Syncytin-1 is first secreted on the surface of a developing embryo even before it implants in the womb, which means it is likely to help embryos stick to the womb as well as the form the placenta.
The discovery could herald new treatments to prevent recurrent miscarriages, foetal growth restriction syndrome and pre-eclampsia, says Professor Harry Moore, co-director for the university’s Centre for Stem Cell Biology and lead author of the study.
“Eventually we may be able to develop blood tests based on our results to identify pregnancies that might be at risk and also develop appropriate therapies,” he said.
“Amazingly, the Syncytin-1 gene is the result of a viral infection of our primate ancestors 25 million years ago. The viral DNA got into our ancestors’ genome and was passed on through heredity and the gene involved in the fusion of the virus with cells for infection was co-opted and became Syncytin-1. Without it humans probably would not have evolved.”
Researchers will now investigate whether the level of Syncytin-1 secretion on the pre-implantation embryo is somehow related to outcome of pregnancy in women undergoing IVF.
The study, which is published in Human Reproduction, is the first to reveal that the protein is expressed early in the embryo.
“The Syncytin-1 protein was mainly secreted in the cells of the embryo, called polar trophoblast cells, which will first stick to the cells of the womb,” said Prof Moore.
“In the lab we discovered the trophoblast cells that secrete Syncytin-1 not only fuse together but also secrete nano-vesicles called exosomes.
“These exosomes may communicate with cells in other areas of the mother to prepare her for pregnancy. If this doesn’t happen properly at the earliest stages it may cause problems throughout pregnancy.”
Soygur B, Moore H et al. Expression of Syncytin I (HERV-W), in the preimplantation human blastocyst, embryonic stem cells and trophoblast cells derived in vitro. Human Reproduction. May 2016; doi:10.1093/humrep/dew097.
Leave a Reply