Korean mistletoe lectin promotes proliferation and invasion of trophoblast cells through regulation of Akt signaling

•We analyzed the effect of VCA on proliferation and invasion in trophoblast.•Cell proliferations of trophoblast were increased at low concentration of VCA.•Low concentration of VCA increases MMP-2 expression in trophoblast.•The expressions of integrin subunits α5 and β1 were increased at 10 pg/ml of VCA.•VCA promotes invasion ability of trophoblast via the Akt signaling.

Recently, Viscum album var. coloratum agglutinin (VCA) was shown to have various effects on cancer cells. However, most researchers are focused on high concentrations (1–1000 ng/ml) of VCA and its anti-cancer effects. Therefore, we wanted to know whether low concentrations of VCA have an effect on proliferation and invasion of human trophoblast cells (HTR-8/SVneo cell line). Cell proliferations at low concentration of VCA (1–10 pg/ml) were increased over 2-fold relative to the control. Also, gelatinolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 were increased after VCA treatment, while TIMP-1 expression was reduced. Furthermore, the expression of integrin subunits α5 and β1 were increased 1.5-fold when cells were treated with low dose of VCA (10 pg/ml). Lastly, VCA was able to promote trophoblast invasion through activation of the Akt signaling pathway. In conclusion, low concentrations of VCA can stimulate the ability of trophoblast cells to invade through the extracellular matrix in vitro.