title: Expression of nephrin in the human placenta and fetal membranes.
abstract: Nephrin is the signature molecule in the podocyte of the glomerulus that forms the renal slit diaphragm, the main functional unit of the glomerulus. The present study focused on the expression of nephrin in the human placenta, which may also have a role in filtration and the maintenance of homeostasis in the kidneys. A total of nine placentas from normal healthy pregnant females at full term were investigated. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed. The expression of nephrin mRNA was relatively increased in the chorion compared with that in the villi and the amnion. The nephrin gene was detected in the villous cytotrophoblast cells and the endothelium of the intravillous vessels. It was also present in the chorionic and amniotic membranous lining, with its distribution being particularly dense in the amniocytes. The identification of nephrin in the human placenta, particularly at the maternal‑fetal interface, provides a novel insight into the molecular basis of the selective permeability of the placental barrier, which requires further elucidation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal‑Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120‑752, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bo Hyon
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110‑799, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal‑Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120‑752, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120‑752, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Seoul 150‑719, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ga Hyun
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal‑Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120‑752, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Han
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal‑Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120‑752, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Won
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul 135‑720, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Beom Jin
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal‑Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120‑752, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ja Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D021381:Protein Transport; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C113267:nephrin