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Expression of organic anion transporting polypeptide E (OATP-E) in human placenta
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan.
Purpose:
To examine the expression of multifunctional Na(+)-independent organic anion transporting polypeptide, termed OATP-E, involved in the transport of thyroid hormone in human placenta.
Methods:
Western blot analysis was performed using a specific antibody against OATP-E in human placenta to confirm the expression of OATP-E at the protein level. Immunohistochemistry was also performed using the specific antibody against OATP-E on frozen sections of human placenta.
Results:
By Western blot analysis, a single band for OATP-E was observed in human placenta. Immunohistochemistry revealed that OATP-E was predominantly expressed at the apical surface of the syncytiotrophoblasts in placenta.
Conclusion:
These results reveal that OATP-E is expressed in human placenta, suggesting a functional role for the transplacental transfer of thyroid hormone.