Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the effect of Talin1 on the adhesion function of human fallopian tube epithelial cells and explore the potential molecular mechanism involved. Methods: Human normal fallopian tube epithelial cells were transfected with Talin1. The adhesion strength of cell line overexpressed Talin1. The adhesion strength of these cells was assessed through a cell adhesion assay, with normal fallopian tube epithelial cells serving as controls. Immunofluorescence was used to observe changes in the cytoskeleton and the expression of ciliary dynamics proteins in Talin1-overexpressing cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were employed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of adhesion factors and cytoskeletal proteins in these cells. Results: After transfection with the Talin1 overexpression plasmid, both mRNA and protein levels of Talin1 were significantly increased (P<0.05), successfully establishing a stable cell line overexpressing Talin1. Talin1 significantly enhanced the adhesion strength of fallopian tube epithelial cells (P<0.01). The average fluorescence intensity of cytoskeletal F-actin, dynein axonemal heavy chain 5 (DNAH5), forkhead box J1 (FOXJ1), and radial spoke head component 9 (RSPH9) was markedly increased (all P<0.01). Talin1 downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of the adhesion factor E-cadherin (both P<0.001), while upregulating the mRNA and protein expression of adhesion factors β-catenin, P120 catenin (P120ctn), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) (all P<0.05), as well as the protein expression of Paxillin, β-tubulin and Keratin (Krt) (all P<0.000 1). Conclusions: The occurrence of tubal pregnancy may be associated with Talin1′s role in promoting the expression and rearrangement of cytoskeletal proteins and regulating the expression of related adhesion molecules, thereby influencing the adhesion properties of fallopian tube epithelial cells.

Key words: Talin, Pregnancy, tubal, Cell adhesion, Cell adhesion molecules, Cytoskeleton