Lipopolysaccharide stimulation of trophoblasts induces corticotropin-releasing hormone expression through MyD88

Objective We hypothesized that intrauterine infection may lead to placental corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) expression via Toll-like receptor signaling. Study Design To test this hypothesis JEG3 cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), chlamydial heat shock protein 60, and interleukin (IL)-1. CRH expression was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The signaling mechanisms that were involved were examined in transient transfection experiments with β-galactosidase, CRH-luciferase, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) response element–luciferase, dominant-negative (DN)–myeloid differentiation primary response gene (MyD88) and DN-toll-IL-1-receptor domain containing adapter inducing interferon (TRIF) vectors. Luciferase activity was determined by luciferase assay. β-galactosidase assay was performed to determine transfection efficiency. Results LPS, chlamydial heat shock protein 60, and IL-1 stimulation led to CRH expression in the JEG3 cells. LPS-induced CRH expression was not due to the autocrine effect of LPS-induced IL-1 because the supernatant from LPS-conditioned JEG3 cells did not induce CRH expression in the naïve cells. DN-MyD88, but not DN-TRIF, blocked the LPS-induced CRH expression. The cAMP response element did not play a role in LPS-induced CRH expression. Conclusion Toll-like receptor signaling 4 may induce placental CRH expression through MyD88.