Expression and localization of heme oxygenase in human placental villi.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and distribution patterns of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and HO-2 in human placental villi at term and in the first trimester of pregnancy using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR detected mRNA for HO-1 and HO-2 in human placental villi during gestation. Western blotting also revealed the expression of the two distinct HO proteins throughout gestation. HO-1 was constitutively expressed, while HO-2 expression was apparently greater at term than in early pregnancy. Immunohistochemistry showed that distribution of the two HO isoforms had distinct topographic patterns: HO-1 was observed in villous trophoblastic cells, while HO-2 was found in endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels of placental villi. These results may provide a microtopographic basis for elucidating the mechanism of carbon monoxide (CO)-mediated vasodilatation, and it is suggested that the CO/HO system may be involved in the control of placental vascular function and may protect the syncytiotrophoblast and endothelium against oxidative injury.
Yoshiki
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N
Comprehensive Reproductive Medicine, Regulation of Internal Environment and Reproduction, Systemic Organ Regulation, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan. n.yoshiki.gyne@med.tmd.ac.jp
Kubota
T
T
Aso
T
T
D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000098:blood supply / Q000201:enzymology*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000201:enzymology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000235:genetics; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000201:enzymology
D000906:Antibodies; D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)