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Expression of membrane prostaglandin E synthase in human placenta and fetal membranes and effect of labor

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Abstract

Initiation and maintenance of labor in humans is associated with an increase in prostaglandin synthesis by intrauterine tissues. The objective of the present study was to characterize the distribution of membrane-bound PGES (mPGES) protein and mPGES mRNA in human placenta, fetal membranes, and decidua at term and to determine whether any changes occurred with labor. Immunoreactive mPGES was found to be highly concentrated in amnion epithelial cells and the chorion laeve trophoblasts, with lower levels in the mesenchymal layers. The enzyme was at very low levels or undetectable in the decidual tissue. Much lower levels of mPGES protein and mRNA were found in placenta than in fetal membranes. mPGES was associated with the syncytiotrophoblast and in cells surrounding blood vessels. The expression of mPGES mRNA did not change with labor in full membranes or placenta, but Western analysis showed an increase in mPGES protein in chorion laeve and a decrease in mPGES protein in placenta during labor, with no change in the amnion. The differences in expression found among placenta, chorion, and amnion before and after labor would indicate that this enzyme is differentially regulated in these tissues at this time.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in Human Development, Child and Youth Health, Departments of Physiology & Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Nadia Alfaidy & John R. G. Challis

  2. Department of OB-GYN, Room 8420, The Ottawa Hospital-General Campus, 501 Smyth Road, K1H 8L6, Ottawa, ON

    Meihua Sun &  William Gibb

Authors
  1. Nadia Alfaidy
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  2. Meihua Sun
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  3. John R. G. Challis
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  4. William Gibb
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Correspondence to William Gibb.

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Alfaidy, N., Sun, M., Challis, J.R.G. et al. Expression of membrane prostaglandin E synthase in human placenta and fetal membranes and effect of labor. Endocr 20, 219–225 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1385/ENDO:20:3:219

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/ENDO:20:3:219

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