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Sodium iodide symporter (NIS) gene expression in human placenta
A M Mitchell1, S W Manley, J C Morris
1Royal Brisbane Hospital Research Foundation, Bancroft Centre, Clinical Research Centre, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia. agnieszM@qimr.edu.au
Placenta
|February 15, 2001
Summary
The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) facilitates iodide transport essential for fetal thyroid hormone production. This study confirms NIS expression in the human placenta, suggesting its role in maternal-fetal iodide transfer.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The placenta facilitates maternal-fetal iodide transfer, crucial for fetal thyroid hormone synthesis.
- The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) is vital for iodide uptake in thyroid tissue.
- Previous research did not detect NIS in the placenta.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and localization of NIS in the human placenta.
- To determine if NIS plays a role in placental iodide transport.
Main Methods:
- Detection of NIS mRNA in human placenta and JAr cells.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of NIS protein localization in placental tissue using a monoclonal antibody against hNIS.
Main Results:
- NIS mRNA was successfully detected in human placenta and the JAr choriocarcinoma cell line.
- NIS protein was localized to trophoblasts within the placenta, with a notable apical distribution.
Conclusions:
- The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) is expressed in the human placenta.
- NIS likely mediates placental iodide transport, ensuring adequate iodide supply for fetal thyroid hormone synthesis.