OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of ALKBH5 on migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human trophoblast cells. METHODS: The expression plasmid of ALKBH5 or a negative control plasmid (ALKBH5-NC) was transfected in human trophoblast HTR-8 /SVneo cells, and the expressions of ALKBH5 mRNA and protein were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Transwell assay was used to assess the changes in migration and invasion abilities of the trophoblast cells after the transfection. Western blotting was performed to detect the expressions of EMT-related proteins in the cells including vimentin, fibronectin, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, MMP9 and MMP2. RESULTS: ALKBH5 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly higher in ALKBH5 group than in the control group ( CONCLUSIONS ALKBH5 is involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia by inhibiting EMT of trophoblast cells and hence reducing their migration and invasion abilities.
AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Female ; Humans ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Trophoblasts ; Vimentin/genetics*