Homocysteine Decreases The Invasion In Cultured Human Trophoblast: The Relationship Between Homocysteine And MMP-2, MMP-9 Expression

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that homocysteine can decrease the MMP-2, MMP-9 expression in cultured trophoblast and then deduce that homocysteine can prevent the trophoblast invasion in the early stage of preeclampsia. Study design: Cytotrophoblast from early pregnancy were isolated and cultured for 48 hour in presence or absence of 0.1 to 10 mmol/L homocysteine, cell proliferation were detected by MTT method. Trohoblast from early pregnancy were also cultured for 48 hour in presence or absence of 1 mmol/L homocysteine, real time RT-PCR and gelatin zymography were used to quantified the mRNA and protease activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Results: Trophoblast of early pregnancy can expression MMP-2, Pro-MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-9 (~120KDa) is the main pattern of the MMP-9 expression. Homocysteine can inhibit trophoblast proliferation, and this effect is obvious at 2mmol/L. Homocysteine (1 mmol/L) decreases MMP-2, MMP-9 expression at mRNA and protein level. Conclusion: Homocysteine inhibits proliferation in cultured human trophoblast, and can decrease its MMP-2, MMP-9 expression.