α-Solanine Causes Cellular Dysfunction of Human Trophoblast Cells via Apoptosis and Autophagy

Toxins (Basel). 2021 Jan 18;13(1):67. doi: 10.3390/toxins13010067.

Abstract

The trophoblast, an embryonic tissue, exerts a crucial role in the processes of implantation and placentation. Toxins in food can cause malfunction of trophoblasts, resulting in apoptosis, oxidative stress, and abnormal angiogenesis. α-solanine, a steroidal glycoalkaloid, has antitumor properties on several cancer cells. However, its effect on human trophoblasts has not been elucidated. In this study, human extravillous trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cells were exposed to α-solanine. Cellular functions including proliferation, migration, invasion, tube formation, and apoptosis were assessed. To monitor autophagic flux, trophoblasts were transfected with a mCherry-GFP-LC3B vector using lentiviral transduction, and expression of autophagy-related biomarkers including Beclin 1, Atgl3, and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain-3 (MAP1-LC3) were detected. The results show that application of 20 μM α-solanine or above inhibited the cell viability, migration, invasion, and tube formation of the human trophoblast. Cell cycle was arrested at S and G2/M phases in response to 30 μM α-solanine. α-solanine induced apoptosis of HTR-8/SVneo cells and triggered autophagy by increasing the autophagic gene expression and stimulating the formation of autophagosome and autophagic flux. In conclusion, α-solanine can impair the functions of human trophoblast cells via activation of cell apoptosis and autophagy.

Keywords: apoptosis; autophagy; toxicity; trophoblast cell; α-solanine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Autophagy / drug effects*
  • Biomarkers
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Solanine / pharmacology*
  • Trophoblasts / cytology
  • Trophoblasts / drug effects*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • alpha-solanine
  • Solanine