title: Immunolocalization of substance P and NK-1 receptor in Hofbauer cells in human normal placenta.
abstract: Substance P (SP) after binding to the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor regulates many biological functions. Both SP and the NK-1 receptor are expressed in human normal placenta cells, monocytes, and macrophages. However, to our knowledge, the presence of both SP and the NK-1 receptor in macrophages of the placenta, the Hofbauer cells, is unknown. We demonstrate by immunohistochemistry in human normal placenta samples the presence of both SP and NK-1 receptors in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus of Hofbauer cells. The findings suggest a functional role of the SP/NK-1 receptor system in the physiology and pathophysiology of Hofbauer cells in the human placenta.
authors.affiliation: Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Research Laboratory on Neuropeptides, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carranza
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pavón
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coveñas
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism*; D047929:Term Birth
chemical_list: D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D013373:Substance P
keywords: SP; immunocytochemistry; macrophages; neurokinin-1 receptor