[Expression of aquaporin 1 in human placenta and fetal membranes].

OBJECTIVE: To detect aquaporin1 (AQP1) expression in normal human placenta and fetal membranes. METHODS: Human placenta and fetal membrane specimens were collected from 5 pregnant women with intact membranes undergoing elective cesarean sections at term. Expression and localization of AQP1 was detected by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: AQP1 mRNA was detected in the placenta and fetal membranes by RT-PCR, and Western blotting also yielded positive results for the specimens, showing a specific band around 28 kD. Immunohistochemical staining showed AQP1 expression in the vascular endothelial cells and syncytiotrophoblasts of the placenta, epithelial cells of the amnion, and cytotrophoblasts of the chorion. CONCLUSION: The presence of AQP1 expression in the placenta and fetal membranes suggest that AQP1 may play an important role in maternal-fetal fluid exchange and amniotic fluid balance.