Reduced Expression of Hydrogen Sulfide-Generating Enzymes Down-Regulates 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase in Chorion during Term and Preterm Labor

Chorionic NAD-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) plays a pivotal role in controlling the amount of prostaglandins in the uterus and has been implicated in the process of labor. Prior studies identified hydrogen sulfide-generating enzymes cystathionine-beta-synthetase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) in fetal membranes. We investigated whether hydrogen sulfide is involved in the regulation of PGDH expression in the chorion during Labor. The chorionic tissues were obtained from pregnant women at preterm in Labor and at term in labor or not in Labor at term. Levels of CSE and CBS and hydrogen sulfide production rate were down-regulated in term in Labor and preterm in labor groups compared with not in labor at term group. The CBS level correlated to PGDH expression in the chorion. Hydrogen sulfide donor NaHS and precursor L-cysteine dose-dependently stimulated PGDH expression and activity in cultured chorionic trophoblasts. The effect of L-cysteine was blocked by CBS inhibitor and CBS siRNA but not by CSE inhibitor and CSE siRNA. Hydrogen sulfide treatment suppressed miR-26b and miR-199a expression in chorionic trophoblasts. miR-26b and miR-199a mimics blocked hydrogen sulfide upregulation of PGDH expression. Our results indicate that hydrogen sulfide plays pivotal roles in maintenance of PGDH expression in the chorion during human pregnancy. Reduced expression of hydrogen sulfide-generating enzymes contributes to an increased amount of prostaglandins in the uterus during Labor.