Expression of organic anion transporting polypeptide E (OATP-E) in human placenta.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the expression of multifunctional Na(+)-independent organic anion transporting polypeptide, termed OATP-E, involved in the transport of thyroid hormone in human placenta.


METHODS
Western blot analysis was performed using a specific antibody against OATP-E in human placenta to confirm the expression of OATP-E at the protein level. Immunohistochemistry was also performed using the specific antibody against OATP-E on frozen sections of human placenta.


RESULTS
By Western blot analysis, a single band for OATP-E was observed in human placenta. Immunohistochemistry revealed that OATP-E was predominantly expressed at the apical surface of the syncytiotrophoblasts in placenta.


CONCLUSIONS
These results reveal that OATP-E is expressed in human placenta, suggesting a functional role for the transplacental transfer of thyroid hormone.
Sato
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan.
Sugawara
J
J
Sato
T
T
Mizutamari
H
H
Suzuki
T
T
Ito
A
A
Mikkaichi
T
T
Onogawa
T
T
Tanemoto
M
M
Unno
M
M
Abe
T
T
Okamura
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D027361:Organic Anion Transporters / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000906:Antibodies; D027361:Organic Anion Transporters; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D013963:Thyroid Hormones