IMPACT OF HYPEROSMOLARITY ON PLACENTAL ANGIOGENESIS AND CAVEOLIN-1 EXPRESSION

REPPETI J.; GORNALUSSE G; BELTRAMONE N; DAMIANO A; MARTÍNEZ N,

Workshop; WORKSHOP IFIBIO 2023; 2023

Introduction: The establishment of a successful pregnancy requires proper development of placental vasculature, which includes macrovasculature and microvasculature, and the coordinated regulation of vascular processes. In this context, the placenta can act as a sensor of fetal metabolic demands, inducing changes in its vasculature to ensure fetal growth and well-being. Cellular stress during pregnancy, including hyperosmolar stress, can impact the normal development of placental vasculature. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a constitutive protein of caveolae, plays a pivotal role in cell signaling. Our hypothesis is that hyperosmolar stress disrupts placental angiogenesis, and Cav-1 participates in this process. Objective: Our objective was to assess the effect of hyperosmolarity on placental migration and tubulogenesis, along with the expression of Cav-1 under these conditions. Materials and Methods: This study received approval from the ethics committee of the Hospital Nacional Prof. Dr. A. Posadas. Placental microvascular endothelial cells (hPMEC) and the EA.hy926 cell line (ATCC® CRL-2922TM) were used. Cells were treated with a sucrose solution (150 mM) to induce hyperosmolarity. Cav-1 expression was evaluated through RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. Cell migration was assessed via wound healing assays, and angiogenesis was evaluated through tube formation assays. Results: Hyperosmolar stress significantly reduced cell migration (p