BST2 regulates interferon gamma-dependent decrease in invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells via STAT1 and AKT signaling pathways and expression of E-cadherin

The mechanism by which interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) downregulates trophoblast invasion needs further investigation. Treatment of HTR-8/SVneo cells with IFN-γ led to a decrease in their invasion concomitant with an increased expression of BST2. Silencing of BST2 by siRNA showed a significant increase in their invasion and spreading after treatment with IFN-γ as well as downregulated expression of E-cadherin. Further, STAT1 silencing inhibited the IFN-γ-dependent increase in the expression of BST2 and E-cadherin. Treatment of HTR-8/SVneo cells with IFN-γ led to the activation of AKT, and its inhibition with PI3K inhibitor abrogated IFN-γ-mediated decrease in invasion/spreading and downregulated BST2 and E-cadherin expression. Collectively, IFN-γ decreases the invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells by STAT1 and AKT activation via increased expression of BST2 and E-cadherin.