| Objective: To study the expression and its significance of AQP8 in the human fetal membrane and placenta of normal term pregnancies or pregnancies with abnormal amniotic fluid volume. So as to provide some clues for the mechanism of amniotic fluid transportation and for the treatment of abnormal amniotic fluid volume.Methods: (1) To collect the fetal membrane (amnion and chorion) and placenta from 36 term pregnancies who underwent cesarean section, including 12 cases with polyhydramnios, 12 cases with oligohydramnios and 12 cases who were normal. (2) The expression of AQP8 mRNA was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). (3) The location and the expression level of AQP8 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry and pathologic image semi-quantification analysis.Results: (1) AQP8 mRNA and protein were expressed in the amnion, chorion and placenta of all cases, AQP8 protein was mainly located in the epithelial cells of amnion, trophocyte of chorion and syncytiotrophoblast of placenta. (2) In amnion, the expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein were increased in polyhydramnios group(0.7754±0.1257,0.195±0.024) and were decreased in oligohydramnios group(0.1949±0.0733 , 0.086±0.020) compared to the control group(0.3858±0.0688,0.151±0.018)(P﹤0.05). (3) In placenta , the expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein were also increased in polyhydramnios group(0.8603±0.1528,0.193±0.024) and were decreased in oligohydramnios group(0.2457±0.0813 , 0.120±0.020) compared to the control group(0.3396±0.0869,0.152±0.023)(P﹤0.05). (4) In chorion, the expression of AQP8 mRNA was increased slightly in polyhydramnios group(0.5745±0.1029)(P﹤0.05), and there was no significant change of it in oligohydramnios group(0.3892±0.1005) compared to the control group(0.4544±0.0925)(P﹥0.05). On the other hand, the expression of AQP8 protein in chorion of polyhydramnios group(0.170±0.028) and oligohydramnios group(0.142±0.023) were not significantly different from the control group(0.156±0.024)(P﹥0.05).Conclusion: (1) The expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein were found in the fetal membrane (amnion and chorion) and placenta of human term pregnancies. (2) The expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein in the fetal membrane and placenta were up-regulated in polyhydramnios group and were down-regulated in oligohydramnios group. (3) The expression of AQP8 in the fetal membrane and placenta may play an important role in the amniotic fluid regulation. |
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