Fig. 2: EIF5A1 promotes trophoblast migration and invasion in vitro and outgrowth in a villous explant culture model.

a Wound-healing assay showing the effects of EIF5A1 knockdown on HTR-8 cells migration. Original magnification × 100, scale bar = 200 μm. b Invasion assay showing that downregulation of EIF5A1 affects HTR-8 invasion. Original magnification × 200, scale bar = 100 μm. c Wound-healing assays demonstrating the effects of EIF5A1 upregulation on HTR-8 migration. Original magnification × 100, scale bar = 200 μm. d Invasion assay showing that overexpression of EIF5A1 promotes HTR-8 invasion. Original magnification × 200, scale bar = 100 μm. e-f Villous explants were obtained from healthy controls at 8–10 weeks of gestation and cultured on Matrigel. siEIF5A1 (e) or EIF5A1 (f) were transfected into the tissues. Images were acquired after in vitro culture for 24 h and 72 h. Original magnification × 200, scale bar = 100 μm. Immunofluorescence (IF) images of trophoblasts were expressing EIF5A1 (red) and CK7 (green). Original magnification × 200, scale bar = 25 μm. g The fold change in the number of invaded HTR-8 cells after treatment with a gradient of GC7 for 24 h. h Would-healing assay showing control (con) and GC7-treated HTR-8 cells. i Relative migration of trophoblasts in villous explants after GC7 treatment. j-k Changes in migratory (j) and invasive (k) capabilities in EIF5A1-overexpressing HTR-8 cells after incubation with GC7. l Effects of GC7 on trophoblast outgrowth induced by EIF5A1 overexpression in villous explants. GC7 treatment was performed at a concentration of 160 μM for 24 h. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001