Progesterone prevents epithelial-mesenchymal transition of ovine amniotic epithelial cells and enhances their immunomodulatory properties.

ABSTRACT: The in vitro expansion is detrimental to therapeutic applications of amniotic epithelial cells (AEC), an emerging source of fetal stem cells. This study provides molecular evidences of progesterone (P₄) role in preventing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ovine AEC (oAEC). oAEC amplified under standard conditions spontaneously acquired mesenchymal properties through the up-regulation of EMT-transcription factors. P₄ supplementation prevented phenotype shift by inhibiting the EMT-inducing mechanism such as the autocrine production of TGF-β and the activation of intracellular-related signaling. The effect of P₄ still persisted for one passage after steroid removal from culture as well as steroid supplementation promptly reversed mesenchymal phenotype

SUBMITTER: Canciello A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5476612 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature