ABCB1 and ABCG2 expression in the placenta and fetus: an interspecies comparison.
BACKGROUND
ABCB1 and ABCG2 are efflux transporters which have a major impact on the pharmacological behavior of numerous drugs. They are expressed, for example, in the intestine, liver, kidney, BBB and placenta. It has become evident that ABCB1 and ABCG2 modify the pharmaco/toxicokinetics in the placenta and fetus and may consequently affect the outcome of pregnancy.


METHODS
Comprehensive literature searches were done using PubMed (until June 2010) to identify publications on ABCB1 and ABCG2 expression in placenta and fetal tissues in human, mouse, rat, guinea-pig and rabbit.


RESULTS
In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the current knowledge on the ABCB1 and ABCG2 transporter expression profiles in the placenta and fetal tissues in humans relative to other species.


CONCLUSIONS
The available information on ABCB1 and ABCG2 temporal expression profiles in placenta and fetus indicates rather good correlation among human, mouse and rat although some specific differences have been reported. However, at this point no detailed comparisons or comparative functional data are available. Detailed knowledge on the expression patterns and functional activity of ABCB1 and ABCG2 transporters placenta and developing embryo/fetus in different species could possibly help the interspecies extrapolation.
Myllynen
Päivi
P
University of Oulu, Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, PO Box 5000, FIN-90014 Oulu, Finland. paivi.myllynen@oulu.fi
Kummu
Maria
M
Sieppi
Elina
E
D018435:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B; D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D000070997:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity
C513055:ABCB1 protein, human; C116614:ABCG2 protein, human; D018435:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B; D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D000070997:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations