Expression of aquaporin 1 in human placenta and fetal membranes / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect aquaporin1 (AQP1) expression in normal human placenta and fetal membranes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human placenta and fetal membrane specimens were collected from 5 pregnant women with intact membranes undergoing elective cesarean sections at term. Expression and localization of AQP1 was detected by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>AQP1 mRNA was detected in the placenta and fetal membranes by RT-PCR, and Western blotting also yielded positive results for the specimens, showing a specific band around 28 kD. Immunohistochemical staining showed AQP1 expression in the vascular endothelial cells and syncytiotrophoblasts of the placenta, epithelial cells of the amnion, and cytotrophoblasts of the chorion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The presence of AQP1 expression in the placenta and fetal membranes suggest that AQP1 may play an important role in maternal-fetal fluid exchange and amniotic fluid balance.</p>