Glyphosate modified the expression of angiogenic genes in a trophoblastic cell line without altering the angiogenic process

ODDI SL; ALTAMIRANO GA; ZENCLUSSEN ML; GOMEZ AL; SCHIERANO-MAROTTI G; MUÑOZ-DE-TORO M; KASS L

Mar del Plata

Congreso; REUNIÓN CONJUNTA SAIC SAB AAFE AACYTAL 2023; 2023

Glyphosate (G), the active component of herbicides, has been detected inbiological samples from pregnant women and umbilical cord samples. Adversepregnancy outcomes are associated with G exposure, including shortenedgestational length in humans and vascular alterations at embryo implantationsites in rats. Considering that the trophectoderm defines successfuldecidualization through migration, invasion, and spiral arteries remodeling, weaimed to analyze the effects of G on angiogenesis using a trophoblastic cell line. HTR-8/SVneo cells wereexposed to 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 µM G. The mRNA expression of genes reported tobe involved in cellular migration and angiogenesis, such as IL11, vascularendothelial growth factor (VEGF), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), andcoagulation factor II thrombin receptor (F2R), was assessed after 6 and 12 h oftreatment with G by qRT-PCR. Tube–formation assay was performed to study theangiogenic response to G. At 6 h, an overexpression of CCL2 was observed at1.25 µM G compared to the vehicle (P=0.024) and to 0.625 µM G (P=0.045).In addition, higher VEGF levels were observed at 1.25 µM G compared to 2.5 µM G(P=0.025), and the same trend was seen when compared to the vehicle (P=0.053).However, at 12 h, exposure to G had no effect on the mRNAs evaluated. In thetube-formation assay, no differences in the number of branches, tube total length,and branching points were observed between G and the vehicle. In vitro, Gdid not appear to alter the angiogenesis process; however, an acute effect on theexpression of several angiogenic genes was observed. Therefore, G exposure couldcontribute as a risk factor for developing pregnancy complications, mainly incase of pre-existing diseases.