Stimulatory effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on Progesterone production, angiogenesis and survivability of cultured bubaline trophoblast cells

To investigate the effects of Vascular endothelial growth factor on progesterone (P4) synthesis and on the expression of a steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage (CYP11A1), 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase(3βHSD), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), BCL2 Associated X(BAX) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in trophoblast cells of water buffalo. Trophoblast cell was isolated from the early pregnant uterus. Cells were treated with VEGF @ 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml for 24, 48, and 72h. RIA assessed P4, while mRNA expression by qRT-PCR. P4 secretion was maximum (P<0.05) at the highest dose maintained for a longer duration. The mRNA expression of StAR, CYP11A1, 3βHSD, PCNA and vWF were upregulated (P<0.05) at 48h and 72h at the highest dose. Expression of BAX was downregulated (P<0.001) at 72h. In conclusion, VEGF modulates the TCC on steroidogenesis, cell survivability, and angiogenesis in the placenta through an autocrine and paracrine mechanism.