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Endocrinology, Vol 129, 2895-2906, Copyright © 1991 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Trophoblast cell differentiation: establishment, characterization, and modulation of a rat trophoblast cell line expressing members of the placental prolactin family

TN Faria and MJ Soares
Department of Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66103.

The purpose of this investigation was to establish and characterize a cell line derived from a rat choriocarcinoma and to evaluate the usefulness of the cell line as an in vitro model for studying trophoblast cell differentiation. A cell line was generated from choriocarcinoma explants and named Rcho-1. The cell line consisted of a mixture of cell types, including small cells growing in clusters and giant cells possessing very large nuclei. This characteristic morphology was maintained through at least 23 passages and in a series of clonal cell lines isolated from the parent Rcho-1 cell line. The Rcho-1 cell line was capable of expressing placental lactogen-I (PL-I), PL-II, PRL-like protein-A (PLP-A), and PLP-C mRNAs when cultivated in vitro; however, the Rcho-1 cells expressed only PL-I when grown beneath the kidney capsule of host rats. The Rcho-1 cell line did not express PLP-B under any experimental condition. This pattern of placental PRL expression was maintained for 23 passages. Rcho-1 cells synthesized and secreted PL-I, PL-II, and PLP-A proteins with biochemical characteristics similar to those of their placental counterparts. PL-I and PL-II mRNAs were specifically localized to giant cells. Morphological appearance and placental PRL expression were used as indices for monitoring the differentiation state of Rcho-1 cells grown under various conditions. Both morphological and functional trophoblast cell differentiation were induced by maintaining the Rcho-1 cells in postconfluent culture conditions. Postconfluent Rcho-1 cultures were characterized by an increased percentage of giant cells and an induction of placental PRL expression. Some clonal cell lines derived from the parent Rcho-1 cell line exhibited distinct patterns of differentiation and placental PRL expression. In summary, we have established a rat trophoblast cell line capable of expressing a differentiated phenotype. The differentiated phenotype includes both morphological and functional parameters and can be modulated in vitro. This cell line is a unique model for studying the control of placental PRL gene expression and the regulation of trophoblast cell differentiation.




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Copyright © 1991 by The Endocrine Society