ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study was to determine whether aquaporin-4, which plays role as a transcellular water channel, is expressed in human placenta, and to compare the degree of its expression between preeclamptic women and normal pregnant women. METHODS: Placentas were obtained from severely preeclamptic women and normal pregnant women who were delivered neonates by cesarean section before the onset of labor in the Chungbuk National University Hospital. Immunohistochemistry with aquaporin-4 antibody was performed using paraffin-embedded tissue section. Signal of aquaporin-4 expression was observed with light microscope. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry demonstrated expression of aquaporin-4 in the placentas of both preeclamptic women and normal pregnant women. The degree of expression was not different in both group. CONCLUSION: Aquaporin-4 was expressed in the human placenta, but may not be related to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.