Localization of fibrillin-1 in the human term placenta.
OBJECTIVE
We determined the level of message for fibrillin-1, a single-stranded glycoprotein found in the elastic microfibrils of the extracellular matrix, in human placenta compared with other adult human tissues and localized the protein in the term human placenta.


METHODS
Northern blot analysis using a cDNA specific for fibrillin-1 was used to compare message levels in several adult human tissues and placenta. Immunohistochemical staining, using a monoclonal antibody to human fibrillin-1, was used to visualize the site of fibrillin-1 in term human placenta.


RESULTS
Larger amounts of message for fibrillin-1 were present in placenta than in any of the other tissues tested. Staining for fibrillin-1 was present in the villous stroma but not in the basement membranes, trophoblast cells, or in blood vessels of stem, mature intermediate, or terminal villi.


CONCLUSIONS
Fibrillin-1 is distributed extensively in the villous stroma of the term human placenta and may contribute elastic properties to the placenta and basal plate required for an active uterus.
Jacobson
S L
SL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA.
Kimberly
D
D
Thornburg
K
K
Maslen
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001160:Arterioles / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D000071838:Fibrillin-1; D000071837:Fibrillins; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D054392:Adipokines
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D000071838:Fibrillin-1; D000071837:Fibrillins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C000605722:FBN1 protein, human; D054392:Adipokines