title: Developmental increase in expression of the messenger ribonucleic acid and protein levels of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types 1 and 2 in the baboon placenta.
abstract: Cortisol-cortisone interconversion is catalyzed by the NADP/NADPH-dependent oxido-reductase, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11betaHSD-1) and the NAD-dependent oxidase, 11betaHSD-2. Because of the importance of placental corticosteroid metabolism in dictating the amount of cortisol arriving in the fetus to regulate fetal pituitary-adrenocortical function, the present study determined whether there was a developmental change in the expression of 11betaHSD-1 and/or -2 in placental syncytiotrophoblast, the site of maternal:fetal exchange. A syncytiotrophoblast-enriched (>95%) cell fraction was isolated from baboon placentas obtained at early (day 60), mid (day 100), and late (day 165) gestation (term = day 184), and 11betaHSD-1 and -2 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels were determined by Northern and Western blots. The levels (mean +/- SE) of the single 1.6-kilobase (kb) mRNA for 11betaHSD-1, expressed as a ratio to beta-actin, increased (P < 0.05) between early (0.36 +/- 0.16; n = 4) and mid (0.95 +/- 0.21; n = 11) gestation and further increased (P < 0.05) by late gestation (1.82 +/- 0.29; n = 13). Similarly, the levels of the single 1.9-kb mRNA for 11betaHSD-2 in late gestation (2.46 +/- 0.35; n = 8) were greater (P < 0.05) than respective values at mid (1.36 +/- 0.22; n = 8) and early (0.64; n = 2) gestation. The levels of 11betaHSD-1 (arbitrary densitometric units), detected as a dominant band of 34 kDa, were greater (P < 0.05) in late gestation (2.6 +/- 0.2; n = 4) than at early (1.2 +/- 0.1; n = 4) or mid (1.9 +/- 0.3; n = 4) gestation. In contrast, 11betaHSD-2 was not detected by Western blot in syncytiotrophoblast isolated by collagenase dispersion. However, immunocytochemistry revealed that 11betaHSD-2 was present in and localized to the syncytiotrophoblast layer of the baboon placenta and that expression in late gestation (n = 4) appeared to exceed that in placentas of early (n = 4) and mid (n = 4) gestation. These results indicate that both 11betaHSD-1 and 11betaHSD-2 were expressed in syncytiotrophoblasts of the baboon placenta and that the mRNA and protein levels of these two 11betaHSD enzymes increased with advancing gestation. However, because 11betaHSD-2 was not detected in syncytiotrophoblast isolated by collagenase dispersion, we suggest that the 11betaHSD-1 and -2 reside in different membrane fractions of the syncytiotrophoblast. Consequently, the estrogen-regulated change in transplacental cortisol metabolism with advancing gestation may result in a developmental change in the expression and location of the two 11betaHSD enzymes controlling cortisol-cortisone metabolism and transfer into the fetus, resulting in activation of the fetal pituitary adrenocortical system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk 23501, USA.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Pepe
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Babischkin
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Burch
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Leavitt
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Albrecht
mesh_terms: D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010215:Papio / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases