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. 2016 Oct 26;14(3):597–607. doi: 10.5114/aoms.2016.63261

Overexpressed HO-1 is associated with reduced STAT3 activation in preeclampsia placenta and inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation in placental JEG-3 cells under hypoxia

Hong-Mei Qu 1, Li-Ping Qu 1, Xiao-Yan Li 1, Xian-Zhen Pan 1,✉
PMCID: PMC5949914  PMID: 29765448

Abstract

Introduction

Inadequate trophoblast invasion and placentation are widely believed to contribute to preeclampsia, and multiple lines of evidence indicate the involvement of hypoxia in preeclampsia. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the association of placental hypoxia with preeclampsia are not clear.

Material and methods

The present study focused on the role in preeclampsia of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), which is an inducible isoform of HO in response to hypoxia, via examining the expression of HO-1 and the expression and phosphorylation (Tyr705) of Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 in preeclamptic placentas via the immunohistochemical method, western blotting assay and RT-qPCR method. Then we investigated the regulation by HO-1 of the expression and phosphorylation of STAT3 in human placental choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cells under hypoxia.

Results

There was upregulation of HO-1 at both mRNA (1.506 ±0.08347 (N = 37) vs. 1.000 ±0.08854 (N = 31), p < 0.0001) and protein (0.630 ±0.155 (N = 35) vs. 0.310 ±0.052, 0.630 ±0.155 (N = 35), p < 0.001) levels and a reduced level of STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705) in the preeclamptic placental tissues, compared to normal placental tissues (0.143 ±0.027 (N = 35) vs. 0.194 ±0.028 (N = 35), p < 0.01). Also, in vitro experiments demonstrated that HO-1 was markedly promoted by hypoxia in human placental choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cells, 6 or 12 h post treatment (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). However, the STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705) was attenuated by sustained hypoxia (p < 0.01). Moreover, it was demonstrated that HO-1 overexpression significantly inhibited the hypoxia-promoted STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705).

Conclusions

HO-1 was overexpressed in PE placenta, in association with reduced STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705). HO-1 inhibits the STAT3 phosphorylation in placental JEG-3 cells under hypoxia. Thus, we speculate that overexpressed HO-1 might contribute to the reduced STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705) and the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Keywords: heme oxygenase 1, STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705), hypoxia, preeclampsia

Introduction

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related syndrome with hypertension and proteinuria after the 20th week of gestation, affecting 3–5% of pregnancies worldwide and causing 15–46% maternal mortality (50,000 maternal deaths annually) [1–3]. Preeclampsia is currently believed to be caused by inadequate trophoblast invasion and placentation [2]. At the pre-clinical stage of PE, the inadequate trophoblast invasion results in a failure of vascular remodeling and decreased circulation in the early placenta, thus resulting in continuous placental ischemia after 20 weeks of gestation [4, 5]. Increased trophoblast cell apoptosis in the placenta may be the direct cause of PE [6–8]. Widespread apoptosis of placental cytotrophoblasts within the uterine wall was found to be associated with PE [7]. Enhanced trophoblast cell apoptosis in preeclampsia has also been confirmed in vitro [9, 10]. Moreover, the increased trophoblast apoptosis can decrease trophoblast invasion.

Multiple lines of evidence indicate the involvement of hypoxia in preeclampsia. There is a 50% reduction in uteroplacental circulation in patients with preeclampsia [11], and there is an increased incidence of preeclampsia in women residing at high altitudes [12]. Also the involvement of hypoxia in preeclampsia was supported by molecular evidence [13] and was confirmed in models of uteroplacental ischemia in rodents and primates [14, 15]. It is widely believed that the reduced trophoblast invasion into the maternal decidua and the lack of spiral artery remodeling [16] lead to uteroplacental hypoxia in preeclampsia. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the association of placental hypoxia with preeclampsia are not clear. Increased soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) and endothelin-1 have been found in a primate preeclampsia model [15]. Reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activation has also been recognized in the hypoxia-inhibited invasion of extravillous trophoblast cells [17]. Particularly, STAT3 is indicated to promote trophoblast invasion [18], via regulating the transcription of target genes, such as apoptosis-associated genes Mcl-1L, Bcl-xL, survivin, and invasion-related genes MMP-2 and MMP-9 [19–21]. STAT3-deficient embryos showed rapid degeneration, suggesting that STAT3 is essential for the early development of mouse embryos [22]. Moreover, a previous study found that hypoxia exacerbated impairment of PIGF/JAK-STAT3 signaling in preeclampsia [23]. However, little is known about the regulation of STAT3 activation in preeclampsia.

STAT3 is activated by the entire family of interleukin (IL)-6-type cytokines, through gp130 and related receptors, whose dimerization can subsequently result in the activation of receptor kinase activity. The activated receptor then phosphorylates and activates the Janus tyrosine kinases (JAKs), which subsequently activate STAT3 phosphorylation [24, 25]. Also reduced levels of maternal serum S100-B, PAPP-A and IL-6 have been observed in severe preeclampsia [26, 27]. However, other studies revealed an opposite profile of proinflammatory cytokines in preeclampsia pregnancies. A higher systemic inflammatory status, including elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP), has been observed in preeclampsia patients [28, 29]. Also there was a higher IL-6 level in monocyte cultures exposed to preeclampsia plasma [30]. Therefore, the mechanisms mediating the pathogenesis of preeclampsia are far from clear. In particular, other biomarkers might be involved in the regulation of STAT3 phosphorylation.

The present study focused on the role in preeclampsia of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), which is an inducible isoform of HO, in response to stress such as oxidative stress, hypoxia, heavy metals, cytokines, etc. [31]. We examined the expression of HO-1 and the expression and phosphorylation (Tyr705) of STAT3 in the placentas from preeclampsia patients. Then we investigated the regulation by HO-1 of the expression and phosphorylation of STAT3 in a human placental choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cell line under hypoxia. The present study suggests that reduced STAT3 phosphorylation might be associated with the hypoxia-promoted HO-1 in PE.

Material and methods

Subjects

Twenty-five preeclamptic pregnant subjects and 20 normal pregnant subjects were recruited at the moment of admission to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University. The diagnosis of PE was made as previously described [32]. Pregnant subjects with more than 20 weeks of gestation were included when systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mm Hg on 2 separate readings, proteinuria measurement of 1+ or more on a dipstick, or 24-hour urine protein collection with ≥ 300 mg in the specimen. Subjects with hypertension before pregnancy or before the 20th week of gestation, or with disorders such as chronic renal diseases, diabetes, lupus, and urinary tract infection, were excluded from this study. Normal pregnant subjects with normal blood pressure (≤ 140/90 mm Hg), no proteinuria, and an absence of obstetric and medical complications were included. Subjects with multiple pregnancy (≥ 2) were also excluded. No significant difference in age or body weight index was observed between the two groups of subjects (Table I). Signed consent was obtained at the time of enrollment, and the ethics committee of our hospital approved this study.

Table I.

Clinical characteristics of pregnant women in the PE and normal control groups

Characteristics PE (n = 25) Normal (n = 20) P-value
Maternal age [years] 32.46 ±7.65 28.15 ±5.25 > 0.05
Body weight index [kg/m2] 26.36 ±3.92 25.74 ±3.66 > 0.05
Gestation [days] 233.53 ±4.87 274.16 ±2.48 < 0.001
Diastolic pressure [mm Hg] 109.36 ±3.64 71.17 ±3.43 < 0.001
Systolic pressure [mm Hg] 172.28 ±8.54 108.53 ±3.76 < 0.001
Proteinuria positive (more than +) 25 0 –
PE onset:      
 Early-onset 16 – –
 Late-onset 9 – –
Delivery mode:     < 0.001
 Vaginal delivery 3 15  
 Cesarean section 22 5  
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Cell culture and treatment

A human placental choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cell line was purchased from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) (Rockville, MD, USA), and was cultured in Eagle’s Minimum Essential Medium (EMEM) (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Waltham, MA, USA) which were supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) (Hyclone, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) and with 50 μg/ml penicillin and with 50 μg/ml streptomycin (CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, Shijiazhuang, China). For the cell culture under normoxia, cells were incubated at 37°C with 5% CO2 in a humid incubator. For the hypoxia treatment, JEG-3 cells were placed in a hypoxia incubator infused with a gas mixture of 5% CO2, 2% oxygen and nitrogen for 3, 6, 12, 24 or 48 h. To overexpress HO-1 in JEG-3 cells, the human HO-1 coding sequence was amplified and cloned into a pcDNA3.1(+) vector (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA). The enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) coding sequence was also cloned into the pcDNA3.1(+) vector as a negative control. HO-1-pcDNA3.1(+) or control EGFP-pcDNA3.1(+) plasmids were transfected into JEG-3 cells with Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA).

Immunofluorescence

Sections of placentas obtained from normal pregnant females and preeclamptic pregnancies post delivery were fixed with 10% formalin and were embedded with paraffin. Sliced tissue which was transferred to slides was deparaffinized and stained using a general standard protocol. Polyclonal rabbit anti-STAT3 with or without phosphorylation (Tyr 705) (Abcam, Cambridge, UK), or anti-HO-1 (Abcam, Cambridge, UK) and HRP-coupled goat anti-rabbit IgG antibodies (Sino Biological, Beijing, China) were used to detect the STAT3 with or without phosphorylation (Tyr 705) or HO-1 antigens in the placental tissues. HRP substrate 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole (AEC) (Abcam, Cambridge, UK) was used for staining. The immunostaining was semiquantified by grading the staining proportion and staining density.

RNA extraction and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction

QuantiTect SYBR Green PCR Kits (Qiagen, GmbH, Hilden, Germany) were used to quantify the mRNA level of HO-1 and STAT3 via the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method. The qRT-PCR was performed on a LightCycler 2.0 (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) detection system with the following cycling parameters: 95°C for 5 min, followed by 40 cycles of 95°C for 15 s and 60°C for 30 s. Primers for HO-1, STAT3 and β-actin were synthesized by the Sangon company (Shanghai, China). All data are presented as fold change over the internal control (β-actin), and were calculated using the ∆∆Ct method.

Western blot analysis of HO-1 and STAT3

Protein samples were extracted from placental tissues or JEG-3 cells with NE-PER Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Extraction Reagents Kit (Pierce, Rockford, IL, USA). These protein samples were separated by electrophoresis using a 12% SDS-PAGE gel and then were transferred to a polyvinylidene fluoride hydrophobic membrane (Millipore, Bedford, MA, USA). Then the membrane was blocked with 2% BSA (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) overnight at 4°C and was incubated with rabbit polyclonal antibody against human HO-1 and STAT3 with or without phosphorylation (Tyr 705) or β-actin respectively. Finally, HRP-conjugated secondary antibody against rabbit IgG and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) (Amersham, Uppsala, Sweden) were used to visualize the protein bands. The levels of HO-1 and STAT3 with or without phosphorylation (Tyr 705) were presented as a percent gray value normalized to β-actin.

Statistical analysis

Quantitative data were presented as means ± SEM. A nonparametric Mann-Whitney test or ANOVA StatView (Cary, NC) was used for data analysis. Statistical significance was considered when p < 0.05 or less.

Results

Downregulated phosphorylation of STAT3 in PE placental specimens

To investigate the STAT3 activation and its regulatory role in placental tissues from preeclamptic subjects, we examined the expression and phosphorylation (Tyr 705) of STAT3 in 25 preeclamptic placental villous specimens and in 20 normal puerperae with the immunohistochemical method. It was demonstrated that STAT3 was expressed to a high level in the placental tissues between the normal or PE groups (Figures 1 A, B); however, the STAT3-positive cells were not significantly different in PE placental specimens between the normal and PE groups (p > 0.05, Figure 1 C). As indicated in Figures 1 D and E, the phosphorylated STAT3 level was significantly lower in the PE group than in the normal group (p < 0.01, Figure 1 F). Then we re-evaluated the STAT3 expression in both protein and mRNA levels with western blotting and RT-qPCR methods. It can be observed in Figure 2 A that the protein level of STAT3 was lower in the PE placental tissues than in normal placental tissues, although the reduction was not significant (p > 0.05, Figure 2 B). However, the relative level of phosphorylated (Tyr 705) form of STAT3 was markedly lower in the PE group (p < 0.01, Figure 2 C). In addition, the STAT3 mRNA level was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.4429, Figure 2 D).

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Immunohistochemical analysis of STAT3 with or without Tyr 705 phosphorylation in preeclampsia (PE) placental specimens. STAT3 expression and STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705) were assayed by immunofluorescence staining on placenta tissues from preeclampsia (PE) (n = 25) or from normal (n = 20) subjects. Red color indicates antibody staining for STAT3 expression or phosphorylation (Tyr 705). A and B – Immunofluorescence staining for STAT3 expression in normal subjects (A) and in PE subjects (B); C – counting for STAT3-positive cells in both groups; D and E – staining for STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705) in normal subjects (D) and in PE subjects (E); F – ratio of p-STAT3(Tyr 705)-positive to STAT3-positive cells in both groups

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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STAT3 expression and phosphorylation (Tyr 705) in preeclampsia (PE) placental specimens, with western blotting assay and RT-qPCR. A – representative western blotting assay results of STAT3 with or without phosphorylation (Tyr 705) in the placenta tissues from PE (n = 25) or from normal (n = 20) subjects; B – relative protein band intensities of STAT3 to β-actin in the placenta tissues from the two groups; C – relative protein band intensities of STAT3 with phosphorylation (Tyr 705) to STAT3 without phosphorylation (Tyr 705) in the placenta tissues from the two groups; D – relative mRNA level of STAT3 to β-actin in the placenta tissues from the two groups

Upregulation of HO-1 in preeclampsia placental specimens

To investigate the HO-1 expression in preeclamptic placental tissues, we also examined the HO-1 expression in the placental villous specimens from both groups. Firstly, the HO-1 protein level was analyzed with immunohistochemistry, and it can be observed in Figure 3 A (normal) and 3 B (PE) that there were more HO-1-positive trophoblast cells in the PE group, according to the staining intensity and staining area. Then a western blotting assay was performed to re-evaluate the HO-1 protein level in both groups. As shown in Figure 3 C (normal) and 3 D (PE), the protein level of HO-1 was markedly higher in the PE group than in the normal group (p < 0.001). In addition, we examined the mRNA level of HO-1 with RT-qPCR in the normal and PE groups. Figure 3 E demonstrates that the HO-1 mRNA level was also markedly higher in the high PE group (p < 0.0001). Therefore, we confirmed the upregulation of HO-1 in the placental villous specimens of PE patients.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Analysis of HO-1 expression in preeclampsia (PE) placental specimens, with immunohistochemistry, western blotting assay and RT-qPCR. A and B – representative immunofluorescence staining of HO-1 in the placenta tissues from preeclampsia (PE) (n = 25, A) or from normal (n = 20, B) subjects. Red color indicates antibody staining for HO-1 expression. C and D – representative western blotting assay image (C) and the relative band intensity of HO-1/β-actin in the placenta tissues from PE (n = 25) or from normal (n = 20) subjects. E – Relative mRNA level of HO-1 to β-actin in the placenta tissues from the two groups

Hypoxia upregulates HO-1 expression and STAT3 activation in human placental choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cells

Hypoxia has been indicated to be a contributor to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia [33, 34]. To elucidate a possible role of hypoxia in the HO-1 upregulation and the reduced STAT3 phosphorylation in PE placental tissues, we selected a human placental choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cell line, to evaluate the expression of HO-1 and STAT3 and the activation of STAT3 in such cells under hypoxia. Firstly, as shown in Figure 4 A, the mRNA level of HO-1 was significantly upregulated in the JEG-3 cells, post hypoxia, for 6 to 48 h after hypoxia treatment (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The upregulation of HO-1 was also confirmed via the western blotting assay; the protein level of HO-1 was markedly higher in the hypoxia-treated JEG-3 cells (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 or p < 0.001, Figures 4 B and C), with a time dependence (p < 0.01). It was indicated that the STAT3 expression was not markedly regulated by the hypoxia treatment in either mRNA (Figure 4 D) or protein (Figures 4 E and F) levels. However, the relative level of phosphorylated STAT3 (Tyr 705) to STAT3 was significantly promoted by hypoxia at 12, 24 or 48 h post treatment (p < 0.01, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 respectively for 12, 24 and 48 h post treatment, Figures 4 E and G). Interestingly, the level of phosphorylated STAT3 (Tyr 705) was markedly lower at 48 than at 24 h post treatment (p < 0.01 for column 4 vs. column 3 in Figures 4 E and G). Thus, we confirmed the upregulation of HO-1 expression and the STAT3 phosphorylation by hypoxia in JEG-3 cells.

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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Hypoxia-mediated regulation of HO-1 expression and STAT3 phosphorylation in human placental choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cells. A – Relative mRNA level of HO-1 to β-actin in the JEG-3 cells under normoxia or hypoxia for 3, 6, 12, 24 or 48 h; B and C – western blotting assay (B) and the relative band intensity of HO-1/β-actin in the JEG-3 cells under normoxia or hypoxia for 12, 24 or 48 h; D – relative mRNA level of STAT3 to β-actin in the JEG-3 cells under normoxia or hypoxia for 3, 6, 12, 24 or 48 h; E – western blotting assay of STAT3 with or without phosphorylation (Tyr 705) in the JEG-3 cells under normoxia or hypoxia for 12, 24 or 48 h; F and G – Relative band intensity of STAT3/β- actin (F) or phosphorylated STAT3 (Tyr 705)/STAT3 in the JEG-3 cells under normoxia or hypoxia. Data were averaged for triple independent experiments. Asterisks indicate statistical significance (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 or ***p < 0.001)

Overexpressed HO-1 limits the hypoxia-induced STAT3 phosphorylation in JEG-3 cells

HO-1 has been confirmed to inhibit the STAT3 phosphorylation in ovalbumin-induced neutrophilic airway inflammation [35] and in endothelial cells [36]. To associate the HO-1 upregulation with the STAT3 phosphorylation in PE tissues and in JEG-3 cells, we then overexpressed HO-1, and then re-evaluated the STAT3 phosphorylation in the JEG-3 cells, which were subject to hypoxia. It was demonstrated that HO-1 was significantly promoted in both mRNA (p < 0.001 respectively for 12 or 24 h post transfection, Figure 5 A) and protein (p < 0.01 or p < 0.001, Figure 5 B) levels. However, the HO-1 overexpression did not cause a significant change in the viability of JEG-3 cells (Figure 5 C) under normoxia. Then we re-evaluated the expression and phosphorylation of STAT3 in the JEG-3 cells under hypoxia. It was demonstrated that the HO-1 overexpression did not regulate the STAT3 mRNA level in JEG-3 cells at either 12 or 24 h post transfection (Figure 5 D). Also the protein level of STAT3 was not significantly different between the control and HO-1(+) JEG-3 cells (Figure 5 E). However, there was a lower level of phosphorylated STAT3 in the HO-1(+) JEG-3 cells than in control JEG-3 cells (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01, Figures 5 E and F), under hypoxia. Therefore, the overexpressed HO-1 limits the hypoxia-induced STAT3 phosphorylation in JEG-3 cells.

Figure 5.

Figure 5

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Expression and phosphorylation of STAT3 in the hypoxia-treated JEG-3 cells, post HO-1 overexpression. A – relative mRNA level of HO-1 to β-actin in the JEG-3 cells, which were transfected with HO-1- pcDNA3.1(+) (HO-1(+)) or with EGFP-pcDNA3.1(+) (Control) for 12 or 24 h; B – Western blotting assay and the relative band intensity of HO-1/β-actin in the control or HO-1(+) JEG-3 cells for 24 or 48 h; C – percent viability of the control or HO-1(+) JEG-3 cells, after incubation for 0, 24 or 48 h; D – relative mRNA level of STAT3 to β-actin in the JEG-3 cells, which were transfected with HO-1-pcDNA3.1(+) (HO-1(+)) or with EGFP-pcDNA3.1(+) (Control) for 0, 12 or 24 h; E and F – western blotting assay (E) and the relative band intensity (F) of phosphorylated STAT3/STAT3 in the control or HO-1(+) JEG-3 cells, after hypoxia treatment for 24 or 48 h. Data were averaged for triple independent experiments. Asterisks indicate statistical significance (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 or ***p < 0.001)

Discussion

Trophoblast-mediated implantation and placentation are essential steps for pregnancy and the future development of the embryo [37, 38]. The trophoblast cell proliferation initially forms the ectoplacental cone, cells from which then differentiate to form the labyrinth, spongiotrophoblast layer and giant cell compartment [39, 40]. Recently, STAT signaling has been indicated to regulate trophoblast functions during placentation. A variety of growth factors and cytokines activate STAT3, via inducing its phosphorylation and translocation into the nucleus, and promote the invasiveness of trophoblasts [41–43]. However, little is known about the expression and phosphorylation of STAT3 in situ during placental development. In the present study, we investigated the expression and activation of STAT3 in placental tissues from preeclamptic subjects via the immunohistochemical method, western blotting assay and RT-qPCR method, and found that there was a lower level of STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705) in the preeclamptic placental tissues than in the normal placental tissues, implying reduced activation of STAT3 signaling.

STAT3 is activated by the entire family of IL-6-type cytokines, via the phosphorylation and activation of JAKs [24, 25]. Also, reduced levels of maternal serum S100-B, PAPP-A and IL-6 have been observed in severe preeclampsia [26, 27]. However, other studies have reported an opposite profile of proinflammatory cytokines in preeclampsia pregnancies. A higher systemic inflammatory status, including elevated levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP, has been observed in preeclampsia patients [28, 29]. Also, there was a higher IL-6 level in monocyte cultures exposed to preeclampsia plasma [30]. Therefore, other biomarkers might be involved in the regulation of STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705). Our previous study indicated that hypoxia exacerbated impairment of PIGF/JAK-STAT3 signaling in preeclampsia [44]. In the present study, we found upregulation of HO-1 in the preeclamptic placental tissues, along with reduced STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705). Also the in vitro experiments demonstrated that HO-1 was markedly promoted by hypoxia in human placental choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cells, time dependently. However, the STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705) was attenuated by the sustained hypoxia (from 24 to 48 h post treatment), though it was also markedly promoted by hypoxia in JEG-3 cells. Moreover, the gain-of-function experiment demonstrated that the HO-1 overexpression significantly inhibited the hypoxia-promoted STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705). Thus, we speculated that the HO-1-mediated attenuation of STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705) might contribute to the lower STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705) level in preeclamptic placentas.

Hypoxia activates nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and promotes the expression of its target gene, HO-1, which then ameliorates the increased apoptosis and impaired proliferation and angiogenesis in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) [45]. The upregulation of HO-1 has been shown to effectively prevent the chemical-induced oxidative damage in BeWo cells (as a model for syncytiotrophoblast formation) [46]. However, another study demonstrated that the early stage of hypoxia-induced oxidative and inflammatory stresses leads to acceleration of cell apoptosis via Nrf2/HO-1 pathways in endothelial cells [47]. There seems to be a positive feedback loop of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and Nrf2/HO-1 induction [48]. Such a positive feedback loop eventually results in an exhausted VEGF bioavailability, a higher vulnerability to placental oxidative cell damage and finally a vicious circle that may end up in preeclampsia [48]. Our study indicated that the hypoxia-promoted HO-1 also contributes to the impairment of JAK-STAT3 signaling, which might be another mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. There have been studies supporting the reduced HO-1 expression in preeclamptic placenta [49]. However, other studies found that HO-1 was not decreased in preeclamptic placenta [50]. Interestingly, we found overexpression of HO-1 in the preeclamptic placenta. Therefore, there need to be more studies on HO-1 expression in the preeclamptic placenta.

In conclusion, HO-1 was overexpressed in the preeclamptic placenta, in association with reduced STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705). Also HO-1 inhibits the STAT3 phosphorylation in placental JEG-3 cells under hypoxia. Thus, we speculated that the overexpressed HO-1 might contribute to the lower STAT3 phosphorylation (Tyr 705) and the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Acknowledgments

Hong-Mei Qu and Li-Ping Qu – contributed equally to this work.

The present study was supported by grants from the National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 81601288).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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