Rozas Villanueva, María FernandaOrellana Villena, VivianaAlarcón, RodrigoMaripillan, JaimeMartínez, AgustínAlfaro, IvanRetamal, Mauricio A.2024-12-242024-12-242024Rozas-Villanueva, F.M.; Orellana, V.P.; Alarcón, R.; Maripillan, J.; Martinez, A.D.; Alfaro, I.E.; Retamal, M.A. Cx40 Levels Regulate Hypoxia-Induced Changes in the Migration, Proliferation, and Formation of Gap Junction Plaques in an Extravillous Trophoblast Cell Model. Cells 2024, 13, 1150. https:// doi.org/10.3390/cells13131150https://hdl.handle.net/11447/9527Background: Extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) form stratified columns at the placenta–uterus interface. In the closest part to fetal structures, EVTs have a proliferative phenotype, whereas in the closest part to maternal structures, they present a migratory phenotype. During the placentation process, Connexin 40 (Cx40) participates in both the proliferation and migration of EVTs, which occurs under hypoxia. However, a possible interaction between hypoxia and Cx40 has not yet been established. Methods: We developed two cellular models, one with “low Cx40” (Jeg-3), which reflected the expression of this protein found in migratory EVTs, and one with “high Cx40” (Jeg-3/hCx40), which reflected the expression of this protein in proliferative cells. We analyzed the migration and proliferation of these cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions for 24 h. Jeg-3 cells under hypoxia increased their migratory capacity over their proliferative capacity. However, in Jeg-3/hCx40, the opposite effect was induced. On the other hand, hypoxia promoted gap junction (GJ) plaque formation between neighboring Jeg-3 cells. Similarly, the activation of a nitro oxide (NO)/cGMP/PKG-dependent pathway induced an increase in GJ-plaque formation in Jeg-3 cells. Conclusions: The expression patterns of Cx40 play a crucial role in shaping the responses of EVTs to hypoxia, thereby influencing their migratory or proliferative phenotype. Simultaneously, hypoxia triggers an increase in Cx40 gap junction (GJ) plaque formation through a pathway dependent on NO16 p.enConnexinsExtravillous trophoblastGap junction channelsPlacentaNitric oxideArticlehttps:// doi.org/10.3390/cells13131150