2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) suppresses spheroids attachment on endometrial epithelial cells through the down-regulation of the Wnt-signaling pathway

Hilda Tsang, Tsz Yan Cheung, Suranga P. Kodithuwakku, Joyce Chai, William S.B. Yeung, Chris K C WONG, Kai Fai Lee*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The environmental toxicant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) affects embryo development, implantation and fertility in humans. The underlying molecular mechanism by which TCDD suppresses implantation remains largely unknown. We used the trophoblastic spheroids (embryo surrogate)-endometrial cells co-culture assay to study the attachment of trophoblastic spheroids (BeWo and Jeg-3) onto the endometrial epithelial (RL95-2 and Ishikawa) cells. TCDD dose-dependently induced cytochrome P450 1A1 (Cyp1A1) expression in trophoblastic and endometrial epithelial cells. Moreover, TCDD at 1 and 10. nM suppressed β-catenin (a Wnt-signaling molecule) and E-cadherin expression, as well as spheroids attachment onto endometrial cells. Interestingly, activation of the canonical Wnt-signaling pathway via Wnt3a or lithium chloride reverted the suppressive effect of TCDD on β-catenin and E-cadherin expressions in the BeWo and RL95-2 cells, and restored the spheroids attachment rate to be comparable to the untreated controls. Taken together, TCDD induces Cyp1A1 expression, modulates the Wnt-signaling pathway and suppresses spheroids attachment onto endometrial cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)60-66
Number of pages7
JournalReproductive Toxicology
Volume33
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2012

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Toxicology

User-Defined Keywords

  • Attachment
  • Canonical Wnt-signaling
  • Endometrium
  • Implantation
  • Spheroids
  • TCDD

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