正常妊娠中细胞增殖细胞凋亡情况的研究

目的　研究细胞增殖和细胞凋亡在正常妊娠不同孕期胎盘绒毛、蜕膜生长发育中的作用。方法　对 40例正常早孕吸宫流产病例和 40例正常晚孕分娩病例的胎盘绒毛和蜕膜进行分析 :免疫组织化学链霉菌抗生物素蛋白 -过氧化物酶法 (S -P法 )检测细胞增殖 ;用DNA缺口原位末端标记技术 (TUNEL法 )检测细胞凋亡。结果　正常早孕绒毛细胞滋养细胞、合体滋养细胞、蜕膜中的增殖指数 (PI)分别为 (70 74± 1 34 ) %、0、(89 32± 1 75 ) % ,凋亡指数 (AI)分别为 (10 2 7± 0 35 ) %、(15 2 8± 2 43) %、(5 2 3± 1 35 ) %。正常晚孕胎盘细胞滋养细胞、合体滋养细胞和蜕膜中增殖指数 (PI)分别为 (2 10± 1 2 8) %、0、(2 0 4± 1 31) % ;凋亡指数 (AI)分别是 (1 0 6± 0 94) %、(41 79±1 48) %、(6 0 81± 1 41) %。即 :正常早、晚孕绒毛和蜕膜组织中都有一定量的细胞增殖和细胞凋亡发生 ,但早孕时以细胞增殖为主 (P <0 0 1) ,晚孕时以细胞凋亡为主 (P <0 0 1)。结论　细胞增殖和细胞凋亡都是细胞生长代谢的形式 ,随着妊娠进展 ,胎盘细胞增殖下降、细胞凋亡增加。提示 :细胞增殖和凋亡对胎盘绒毛的正常发育和老化起重要作用     

子痫前期患者滋养细胞浸润相关基因mRNA及蛋白表达的研究

目的研究子痫前期患者胎盘滋养细胞基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)9、2及其组织抑制物(TIMP)1、2,肿瘤转移抑制基因KiSS-1 mRNA、蛋白的表达变化及其与子痫前期发病的关系。方法采用RT-PCR、免疫印迹(western blot)法对30例正常足月妊娠妇女(正常妊娠组)和10例妊娠期高血压患者(高血压组)及27例子痫前期(子痫前期组)患者胎盘滋养细胞中MMP-9、MMP-2、KiSS-1、TIMP-1和TIMP-2基因mRNA及蛋白表达水平[均以相对吸光度(A)表示]进行检测;应用明胶酶谱分析法,检测3组妇女胎盘孵育液MMP-9、MMP-2活性。结果(1)胎盘滋养细胞浸润相关基因mRNA表达水平:子痫前期组MMP-9、MMP-2 mRNA表达水平分别为0．39±0．05和0．71±0．16,均明显低于正常妊娠组的0．78±0．11和1．63±0．31,两组分别比较,差异有统计学意义(P均<0．05)。高血压组MMP-9 mRNA的表达水平明显高于重度子痫前期患者,差异有统计学意义(P<0．05)。子痫前期组胎盘滋养细胞KiSS-1 mRNA和TIMP-1 mRNA的表达水平分别为1．97±0．21和1．11±0．18,均明显高于正常妊娠组的0．69±0．27和0．65±0．19,差异均有统计学意义(P<0．05);高血压组胎盘滋养细胞KiSS-1 mRNA表达水平低于子痫前期组,但与正常妊娠组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0．05)。重度子痫前期患者胎盘滋养细胞TIMP-2 mRNA表达水平明显高于正常妊娠组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0．05)。(2)胎盘滋养细胞浸润相关基因的蛋白表达水平:子痫前期组MMP-9、MMP-2基因的蛋白表达水平分别为1．07±0．35和0．74±0．23,均明显低于正常妊娠组的2．43±0．92和1．48±0．78,差异均有统计学意义(P<0．05)。子痫前期组胎盘KISS-1和TIMP-1蛋白表达水平分别为2．46±0．39和1．51±0．40,均明显高于正常妊娠组的0．91±0．35和0．93±0．56,差异均有统计学意义(P<0．05)。子痫前期组胎盘滋养细胞TIMP-2蛋白表达水平与正常妊娠组及高血压组比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0．05)。(3)胎盘MMP-9和MMP-2酶比活性:子痫前期组分别为(2．67±0．53)和(1．13±0．28)灰度·g-1·L-1,均明显低于正常妊娠组的(8．44±3．70)和(3．87±1．43)灰度·g-1·L-1,差异均有统计学意义(P<0．05)。结论子痫前期患者胎盘滋养细胞促进浸润基因。MMP-9、MMP-2表达降低和抑制浸润基因KiSS-1和TIMP-1表达升高,可能在子痫前期胎盘缺血缺氧中起重要作用。     

人类白细胞抗原G、E在人胎盘组织中的表达及其意义

目的:探讨人类白细胞抗原G、E(HLA-G、E)在人胎盘组织中的表达及意义。方法:用原位杂交及免疫组化法分别检测HLA-G、E mRNA及蛋白质在人正常早孕绒毛组织、晚孕胎盘组织中的表达。结果:在人正常早孕绒毛组织中的绒毛细胞滋养细胞、合体滋养细胞及绒毛外滋养细胞(EVCT)内均有HLA-G、E mRNA及HLA-E蛋白质表达,而HLA-G蛋白质仅在EVCT内表达;晚孕胎盘组织中HLA-G、E mRNA及蛋白质表达于蜕膜板内的EVCT及羊膜上皮细胞。结论:HLA-E表达于人正常早孕绒毛组织中所有类型的滋养细胞及晚孕胎盘组织中的EVCT和羊膜上皮细胞。抗人HLA-G单克隆抗体4H84仅能检测出人胎盘组织中EVCT及羊膜上皮细胞内的HLA-G蛋白。     

胎盘组织中尿皮素和促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素2β受体表达变化与先兆子痫发病的关系

目的探讨先兆子痫患者胎盘组织中尿皮素(UCN)和促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素2β受体(CRH R2β)表达与先兆子痫发病的关系。方法应用半定量RT PCR技术测定20例先兆子痫患者(先兆子痫组)和20例正常妊娠妇女(对照组)胎盘组织中UCNmRNA和CRH R2βmRNA的水平;采用免疫组化方法对UCN进行蛋白定位和半定量分析。结果(1)先兆子痫组胎盘组织中UCNmRNA的表达水平为1 14±0 26,高于对照组的0 78±0 46,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0 05)。(2)先兆子痫组胎盘组织中CRH R2βmRNA的表达水平为0 89±0 33,与对照组的0 93±0 50比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0 05)。(3)免疫组化定位结果显示,两组产妇的UCN蛋白表达主要位于合体滋养细胞,少量表达于细胞滋养细胞和血管内皮细胞。蛋白半定量结果显示,UCN在先兆子痫组胎盘合体滋养细胞中的表达强度高于对照组,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0 05 )。结论先兆子痫患者胎盘组织中UCN表达水平升高,而CRH R2β水平则无明显变化,因此UCN的作用加强。这可能是胎盘组织对母体和胎儿应激状态的一种继发性代偿反应,并参与先兆子痫的病理生理过程。     

细胞凋亡和PCNA在早孕绒毛滋养细胞及蜕膜中的表达与自然流产的关系

目的 :研究细胞凋亡与细胞增殖在早孕绒毛滋养细胞和蜕膜中的表达及与自然流产的关系。方法 :对孕 3月内 2 0例正常妊娠、2 0例第 1次自然流产 (SA)和 15例反复自然流产 (RSA)的绒毛和蜕膜组织应用TdT介导的dUTP缺口原位末端标记技术(TUNEL)检测细胞凋亡 ,应用免疫组织化学SP法检测增殖细胞核抗原 (PCNA)。结果 :正常早孕绒毛细胞滋养细胞、合体滋养细胞和蜕膜中的凋亡指数分别为 7.2 1± 1.2 4、8.89±2 .5 2和 7.70± 0 .82 ;SA组为 15 .4 0± 6 .5 9、2 5 .83± 6 .83和 32 .0 3± 3.2 7;RSA组为 18.77±8.2 2、34.0 2± 13.4 9和 34.96± 5 .4 6。增殖指数在正常早孕绒毛细胞滋养细胞、合体滋养细胞和蜕膜中为 6 4 .13± 5 .90、0和 6 2 .0 8± 4 .76 ;SA组为 6 7.0 2± 6 .79、36 .13± 3.5 6和 6 4 .94± 4 .6 0 ;RSA组为 6 8.6 7± 8.4 5、33.6 7± 4 .0 8和 6 3.99± 5 .5 4。即孕 3月内正常妊娠的绒毛和蜕膜组织中均有一定量的细胞凋亡与细胞增殖存在。SA与正常早孕相比绒毛和蜕膜中的细胞凋亡均明显增加 (P <0 .0 1) ,RSA合体滋养细胞凋亡也较SA明显增加 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;细胞滋养细胞和蜕膜中的细胞增殖在自然流产与正常妊娠间无明显差异 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论 :细胞凋亡和增殖的平衡与妊娠维持?     

子痫前期患者胎盘合体滋养细胞中Fas抗原及其配体、胎盘生长因子表达的研究

目的　探讨Fas抗原(Fas)及其配体(FasL)、胎盘生长因子(PlGF)在子痫前期患者胎盘合体滋养细胞中的表达变化及其意义。方法　采用免疫组化链霉菌抗生物素蛋白过氧化物酶(SP)连接法检测24例正常晚期妊娠妇女(正常晚孕组)、24例轻度子痫前期产妇(轻度子痫前期组)及24例重度子痫前期产妇(重度子痫前期组)胎盘组织中Fas、FasL及PlGF表达水平。结果Fas、FasL及PlGF主要表达于胎盘合体滋养细胞胞质及胞膜中。FasL、PlGF在轻度子痫前期组(63±4、81±6)及重度子痫前期组(42±6、65±6)胎盘中的表达均低于正常晚孕组(73±9、88±8),分别与正常晚孕组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0. 01)。Fas在轻度子痫前期组(51±4)及重度子痫前期组(67±6)胎盘中的表达均高于正常晚孕组(43±6),分别与正常晚孕组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0. 01)。结论　Fas、FasL及PlGF在子痫前期胎盘合体滋养细胞中表达失衡,可能与子痫前期的发病及发展有关。     

趋化因子及其受体在人早孕绒毛组织中的表达特征及意义

目的探讨人早孕绒毛组织中趋化因子CXCL16、CXCL12及其受体CXCR6、CXCR4的基因转录和蛋白表达特征。方法收集早孕绒毛组织并分离滋养细胞,采用半定量RT-PCR方法,检测人早孕绒毛滋养细胞(含绒毛滋养细胞和绒毛外滋养细胞)和人绒毛膜细胞癌细胞系JAR中CXCL16、CXCR6、CXCL12、CXCR4的基因转录水平;采用免疫组化和免疫细胞化学分析方法,检测人早孕绒毛滋养细胞及JAR细胞中CXCL16、CXCR6、CXCL12、CXCR4的蛋白表达。结果人早孕绒毛滋养细胞CXCL16、CXCR6、CXCL12、CXCR4的基因转录水平分别为0·89±0·11、1·12±0·25、0·78±0·10、1·08±0·11;JAR细胞CXCL16、CXCR6、CXCL12、CXCR4的基因转录水平分别为0·90±0·21、1·00±0·30、0·66±0·13、0·90±0·18,两者比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0·05)。CXCL16、CXCR6、CXCL12、CXCR4蛋白在人早孕绒毛滋养细胞和绒毛外滋养细胞中的表达均呈阳性。结论人早孕绒毛滋养细胞同时表达CXCL16、CXCL12、CXCR6、CXCR4,提示母-胎界面存在复杂的趋化因子调控网络,并参与调控滋养细胞自身的生物学行为。     

妊娠期高血压疾病胎盘肝细胞生长因子表达与滋养细胞凋亡

目的探讨肝细胞生长因子(hepatocyte growth factor,HGF)在妊娠期高血压疾病(hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy,HDCP)妇女胎盘组织中的表达及对胎盘绒毛滋养细胞凋亡的影响。方法选取不同程度HDCP晚孕孕妇34例及正常晚孕孕妇30例。采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)的方法检测其胎盘组织中HGF和Fas mRNA表达量。结果(1)与对照组(0.67±0.19)相比,妊娠期高血压组HGF mRNA表达无显著差异(0.65±0.06,P>0.05),轻度子前期、重度子前期和子组HGF mRNA表达显著降低(0.43±0.12,0.38±0.09和0.19±0.17,P<0.05),且随病情加重,表达强度逐渐降低;(2)轻度子前期、重度子前期和子组FasmRNA与对照组相比,表达显著升高(1.58±0.26,2.96±0.14,5.98±1.17和1.01±0.36,P<0.05),且随病情加重,表达强度逐渐增加;(3)胎盘组织中HGF和Fas表达呈负相关(r=-0.618,P<0.05)。结论胎盘间质细胞表达的HGF具有抑制由Fas介导的滋养细胞凋亡作用。患HDCP孕妇胎盘HGF表达下降可能是引起滋养细胞凋亡的原因之一。     

血管生成素在妊娠滋养细胞疾病中表达的临床意义探讨

目的:通过检测血管生成素(ANG)在人正常早孕绒毛组织、葡萄胎及妊娠滋养细胞肿瘤中表达的差异性,探讨ANG在妊娠滋养细胞疾病(GTD)表达的意义。方法:采用免疫组化(En Vision)法检测人正常早孕绒毛组织28例、葡萄胎组织26例、妊娠滋养细胞肿瘤组织14例(其中侵蚀性葡萄胎1例、绒毛膜癌12例、胎盘部位滋养细胞肿瘤1例)中ANG蛋白的表达以及定位情况。结果:ANG蛋白在人正常早孕绒毛组织、葡萄胎及妊娠滋养细胞肿瘤组织中均有表达且主要定位于细胞质和细胞膜、少量表达于细胞核;ANG阳性表达率葡萄胎组(100.0%)高于正常早孕绒毛组(60.7%)(P0.05)和妊娠滋养细胞肿瘤组(85.7%)(P0.05),妊娠滋养细胞肿瘤组高于正常早孕绒毛组(P0.05)。在妊娠滋养细胞肿瘤中,ANG阳性表达率在年龄≥40岁组(83.3%)高于年龄40岁组(75.0%)(P0.05);临床分期晚期组(Ⅲ、Ⅳ期)(88.9%)高于早期组(Ⅰ期、Ⅱ期)(80.0%)(P0.05);FIGO预后评分高危组(87.5%)高于低危组(83.3%)(P0.05)。结论:ANG在GTD组织中的表达明显高于在正常早孕绒毛组织,且在妊娠滋养细胞肿瘤晚期、高危患者表达增高,表明ANG的过表达可能参与了GTD的发生过程。     

缺氧诱导因子及其抑制因子在不同妊娠阶段绒毛及胎盘组织中的表达及意义

目的探讨缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)及其抑制因子——PHD1、PHD2和因子抑制低氧诱导因子-1(FIH-1)在不同妊娠阶段绒毛和胎盘组织中的表达及意义。方法 2007年1月至2007年7月在中国医科大学附属盛京医院,采用免疫组化方法检测14例10周以内早孕者、11例10～12周早孕者、8例中孕者及24例正常晚期妊娠者绒毛和胎盘组织中的HIF-1α、PHD1、PHD2和FIH-1基因的蛋白水平。对四组的表达水平进行比较分析。结果 (1)HIF-1α、PHD1、PHD2和FIH-1基因的蛋白均主要表达在合体滋养细胞和细胞滋养细胞的胞浆中。(2)HIF-1α、PHD1、PHD2和FIH-1在10周以内早孕组(强阳性率分别为50.00%、0、28.57%及0)、10～12周早孕组(强阳性率分别为0、81.82%、0及90.91%)、中孕组(强阳性率分别为0、37.50%、0及25.00%)及正常晚孕组(强阳性率分别为8.33%、29.17%、8.33%及54.17%)中表达差异均有统计学意义(P<0.001;P<0.001;P=0.002;P<0.001)。其中HIF-1α和PHD2均在10周以内的早孕期表达...     

过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ及其配体对早孕期绒毛组织及细胞滋养细胞浸润能力的影响

目的探讨过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ（PPARγ）及其配体对早孕期绒毛组织及细胞滋养细胞浸润能力的影响。方法采用免疫组化方法、免疫荧光细胞化学染色法、蛋白印迹法和RT-PCR技术检测20例孕6～8周（早孕早期组）及20例孕11～12周（早孕晚期组）绒毛组织及细胞滋养细胞中的PPARγ蛋白及其mRNA的表达;并检测不同浓度PPARγ激动配体——15-脱氧-前列腺素J2（15-d-PGJ2）和曲格列酮,以及不同浓度拮抗配体——双酚丙烷二环氧甘油醚（BADGE）对原代无血清培养的细胞滋养细胞浸润能力的影响。结果（1）PPARγ／蛋白在早孕早期组和早孕晚期组绒毛组织中均有表达,主要定位在细胞滋养细胞核中,合体滋养细胞及绒毛间质细胞中无表达。（2）早孕早期组绒毛组织和培养的细胞滋养细胞中,PPARγ／蛋白表达水平分别为1．35±0．08、1．13±0．11,PPARγ／mRNA表达水平分别为36．0±5．1、13．4±3．1;早孕晚期组绒毛组织和培养的细胞滋养细胞中,PPARγ／蛋白表达水平分别为1．17±0．03、0．86±0．05,PPARγ mRNA表达水平分别为23．3±5．5、6．1±1．3,早孕晚期组PPARγ蛋白及其mRNA表达水平明显低于早孕早期组,两组分别比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。（3）PPARγ／激动配体15-d-PGJ2和曲格列酮均有抑制细胞滋养细胞的浸润的作用。15-d-PGJ2浓度为1、10μmol／L,曲格列酮浓度为10μmol／L时,早孕早期组细胞滋养细胞浸润指数分别为0．57±0．03、0．43±0．02、0．50±0．06,早孕晚期组分别为0．69±0．02、0．59±0．03、0．66±0．05,两组分别比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。（4）PPARγ拮抗配体BADGE浓度为20、50μmol／L时,早孕早期组细胞滋养细胞浸润指数分别为1．23±0．07和1．58±0．04;早孕晚期组分别为1．05±0．03和1．38±0．08,两组分别比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论PPARγ／在调节滋养细胞浸润过程中起重要作用;在早孕期胎盘绒毛组织,PPARγ／激动配体可抑制滋养细胞浸润;PPARγ／拮抗配体可促进滋养细胞浸润,且能部分逆转激动配体的作用。     

可溶性血管内皮生长因子受体1在子痫前期患者胎盘组织中的表达及意义

目的探讨可溶性血管内皮生长因子受体1(sFlt-1)在子痫前期患者胎盘组织中的mRNA及蛋白表达水平变化及其意义。方法(1)采用免疫组化方法及RT-PCR技术分别检测30例子痫前期患者(子痫前期组,其中轻度子痫前期11例,重度子痫前期19例)及45例健康孕妇(对照组,其中早期妊娠18例、中期妊娠12例、晚期妊娠15例)胎盘组织中sFlt-1的蛋白及mRNA表达水平。(2)采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)测定各组孕妇血清中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及sFlt-1水平。结果(1)子痫前期组胎盘组织中sFlt-1 mRNA表达水平为0．90±0．11,对照组晚期妊娠妇女为0．80±0．06,两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0．01)。子痫前期组重度患者为0．93±0．12,子痫前期组轻度患者为0．85±0．05,两者比较,差异也有统计学意义(P<0．05)。(2)sFlt-1蛋白在子痫前期组患者胎盘组织中的表达水平为0．156±0．008,对照组中晚期妊娠妇女为0．143±0．009,两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0．01);子痫前期组重度患者sFlt-1蛋白表达水平为0．159±0．008,子痫前期组轻度患者为0．151±0．005,两者比较,差异也有统计学意义(P<0．05)。(3)子痫前期组孕妇血清VEGF、sFlt-1水平分别为(19．3±2．9)ng／L、(30．2±13．7)μg／L,对照组晚期妊娠妇女为(30．2±3．1)ng／L、(7．4±3．1)μg／L,两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0．01)。(4)对照组孕妇血清sFlt-1水平与胎盘sFlt-1蛋白及mRNA表达水平呈正相关关系(r=0．439,P<0．01;r=0．314,P< 0．05);子痫前期组孕妇血清sFlt-1水平与胎盘sFlt-1蛋白及mRNA表达水平也呈正相关关系(r= 0．383,r=0．372;P均<0．05)。结论子痫前期患者胎盘组织中sFlt-1 mRNA表达水平上调及sFlt-1蛋白过度表达,可引起循环中sFlt-1水平升高,从而参与子痫前期的病理生理过程。     

Altered perlecan expression in placental development and gestational diabetes mellitus

The proteoglycan perlecan is involved in cell signaling, regulation of growth factor activity, and maintenance of basement membranes. This study aims to investigate the expression of perlecan during placental development and whether hyperglycemia of gestational diabetes mellitus induces the alteration of perlecan expression in placenta. Immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation/sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and quantitative real-time PCR were carried out to study the placental perlecan expression at different trimesters of pregnancies and in gestational diabetes mellitus. The perlecan protein was mainly immunolocalized in the trophoblast and vessel basement membranes with some staining in the villous stroma of placental villus. Perlecan was also found to co-localize with laminin and collagen IV in the basement membranes of placenta. The protein and mRNA levels of placental perlecan were significantly decreased as the gestational age increased. However, a significant increase in perlecan expression was observed in the third trimester placentas with gestational diabetes mellitus compared to the gestational age-matched controls. Furthermore, trophoblast cells cultured in a high glucose (30 mM) medium and a high osmotic pressure medium (5.6 mM glucose and 24.4 mM mannitol) showed increased perlecan expression compared to cells cultured in the low glucose (5.6 mM) regular medium. These alterations of perlecan expression may be associated with the structural changes of placenta during maturation. The metabolic effect of high glucose and high osmotic pressure of gestational diabetes mellitus may contribute to the increased perlecan expression of diabetic placentas.     

Expression of Fas-ligand in first trimester and term human placental villi

The expression of Fas-ligand (FasL) on trophoblast cells is thought to play a role in immune regulation during human pregnancy. However, there are some discrepancies in the published data concerning the cell types expressing FasL in the placental villi. Therefore, we examined the expression of FasL on cryosections of first trimester and term placental tissue with three different anti-sera against FasL, which are in common use. By immunohistochemistry, all three anti-sera principally gave the same staining result. In the first trimester of pregnancy, villous cytotrophoblast cells underlying the syncytium, as well as all extravillous trophoblast cells of cell columns and cell islands, gave a clear, mainly membrane-located staining, whereas the syncytiotrophoblast, which forms the borderline to the maternal blood flow, only gave a spot-like reaction in distinct areas. The same result was obtained with term placental villi; however, in this tissue, the staining of the villous cytotrophoblast cells was less pronounced. From our results, we suggest that in placental villi, an important role of FasL in immune regulation is not very conclusive because this molecule is mainly expressed on trophoblast with no access to maternal blood or tissue. This is in contrast to the uterine part of the placenta, where FasL expressing trophoblast cells are in close contact with apoptotic maternal leukocytes.     

Expression and cellular localisation of chloride intracellular channel 3 in human placenta and fetal membranes

Chloride channels regulate the movement of a major cellular anion and are involved in fundamental processes that are critical for cell viability. Regulation of intracellular chloride is achieved by multiple classes of channel proteins. One class of putative channels are the chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) family. Evidence suggests that several CLICs are expressed in human placenta, although their roles in this tissue are not certain. Northern blot analysis has shown that CLIC3 is highly expressed in placenta relative to other human tissues; however, its cellular distribution is not known. This study used microarray expression profiling to clarify which CLICs are expressed in human placenta and RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry to determine the expression pattern of CLIC3 in human placenta and fetal membranes. Placentas and fetal membranes were obtained from term pregnancies after delivery and placental tissue was obtained from first trimester following either chorionic villous sampling or elective pregnancy termination. Trophoblast cells were isolated from first trimester and term placentas and placental endothelial cells were isolated from term placentas. Microarray expression profiling identified high expression of mRNA for CLICs 1, 3 and 4 in the isolated first trimester and term trophoblast cells. High mRNA expression in the isolated endothelial cells was also found for CLICs 1 and 4, but not CLIC3. Low expression was found for CLIC5 in all three types of isolated cells. RT-PCR confirmed that CLIC3 mRNA was expressed in trophoblast cells at both gestational ages, but was not present in endothelial cells. CLIC3 mRNA was also identified in whole placental extracts at both gestational ages and in term amnion and choriodecidua. Immunohistochemistry using a chicken anti-human CLIC3 antibody localised strong CLIC3-specific staining to the syncytiotrophoblast and villous cytotrophoblast cells in both first trimester and term placentas, and weaker staining in extravillous trophoblast cells in first trimester. In fetal membranes at term strong CLIC3-specific staining was localised to chorionic trophoblast cells, with weaker staining in amniotic epithelial and decidual cells. It was previously shown that chloride uptake was increased into cells that had been transfected with CLIC3. CLIC3 may facilitate chloride ion movement and the regulation of cellular processes associated with the movement of chloride in the placental and fetal membrane cells in which it is expressed.     

Differential expression of complement regulatory proteins on subpopulations of human trophoblast cells.

Trophoblast cells forming the reactive interface between the mother and her semiallogeneic fetus risk attack by cellular and humoral elements of the maternal immune system. Biochemical, molecular, and immunohistologic studies have identified membrane cofactor protein (MCP) and decay accelerating factor (DAF) on trophoblast cells, which could assist in preventing lysis of the cells by complement-activating maternal antibodies. In this immunocytochemical study, differential expression of these two members of the family of complement regulatory proteins on subpopulations of human trophoblast cells and other types of cells in first and third trimester placentas was demonstrated. Staining with anti-MCP was particularly strong on villous cytotrophoblast cells and giant cells in first trimester tissues in comparison with other types of cells. In contrast, staining with anti-DAF was strong on proliferating cytotrophoblast in first trimester tissues, and on basal plate cytotrophoblast and decidual cells in term tissues. Placental villous mesenchymal cells but not trophoblast cells expressed a third regulatory protein, complement receptor 1. These observations support the postulate that complement regulatory proteins are critical to protection of the fetal allograft, and suggest specific requirements for trophoblast cells according to stage of differentiation and anatomic location.     

Expression and localization of nm23-H1 in the human placenta

The involvement of the nm23 gene, initially documented as a putative metastasis-suppressor gene, in normal development and differentiation has been supported by several investigations. To date, however, localization and expression pattern of nm23 in the human placenta has not been determined. In the present study, the expression of nm23-H1 was examined by Northern blot and immunohistochemical analyses in human placentas from various stages of gestation. In first trimester placenta, the villous cytotrophoblast and the extravillous trophoblast exhibited strong cytoplasmic staining for nm23-H1. In second trimester and term placentas, the few cytotrophoblasts present showed less intense staining than those in first trimester placenta. Northern blot analysis demonstrated a progressive decrease in nm23-H1 gene expression with advancing gestational age, which is consistent with the results obtained by immunohistochemistry. These findings suggest that nm23-H1 is involved in the differentiation process of the trophoblast, and high levels of nm23-H1 expression seem to reflect the proliferating, less differentiated state of that reserve. Received: 24 November 2000 / Accepted: 22 January 2001     

GLUT12 expression in human placenta in first trimester and term

The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of a novel glucose transporter protein GLUT12 in human placenta. GLUT12 mRNA expression was identified by RT-PCR in extracts from five normal term placentae and in extracts from cultured cells of the JAR, JEG-3 and HTR-8Svneo cell lines. In further studies, paraffin sections of first trimester tissue from chorionic villus sampling and term tissue obtained after delivery were analysed by immunohistology with a GLUT12 specific polyclonal antibody. GLUT12 immunoreactivity was expressed predominantly in the syncytiotrophoblast and in extra-villous trophoblast cells in first trimester tissues at 10, 11 and 12 weeks' gestation. In term tissue, however, GLUT12 staining was not detected in syncytiotrophoblast and was found predominantly in villous vascular smooth muscle cells and villous stromal cells. These results suggest that there is a dynamic spatial and temporal expression pattern for the novel glucose transporter GLUT12 in human placenta.