title: Localization and endogenous concentration of endothelin-like immunoreactivity in human placenta.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the localization of endothelin-like immunoreactivity (ET-IR) in human placenta, chorion and amnion and to compare the endogenous concentration of immunoreactive endothelin (ET) in these tissues before and after the onset of labour. ET-IR was detected in the endothelium of stem vessels in placental villi, as well as in decidual stromal cells in the basal maternal plate, by immunocytochemistry using primary polyclonal rabbit antibody. A specific radioimmunoassay was used to detect endogenous concentration of ET in homogenized placental tissues. The endogenous concentration of ET-IR was significantly greater in amnion than in chorion and placenta (amnion 249 +/- 13 fmol/g; chorion 190 +/- 11 fmol/g; placenta 169 +/- 14 fmol/g; means +/- S.E.M.; n = 12; P less than 0.01). No significant difference was seen before or after the onset of labour. The detection of ET-IR in placenta, chorion and amnion suggests that the ETs may play a role in the paracrine control of human uterine function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge Clinical School, Rosie Maternity Hospital.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: van Papendorp
authors.forename: I T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Huskisson
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gilmour
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000650:Amnion / Q000737:chemistry; D002823:Chorion / Q000737:chemistry; D016232:Endothelins / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007745:Labor Onset / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins