Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Tissue transglutaminase expression and activity in placenta.

Nicola J Robinson1, Jocelyn D Glazier, Susan L Greenwood

  • 1Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maternal and Fetal Research Centre, University of Manchester, St Mary's Hospital, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0JH, UK.

Placenta
|December 13, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is present in the human placenta, with higher expression later in pregnancy. This enzyme, a coeliac disease autoantigen, may be targeted by maternal antibodies at the placental microvillous membrane.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Maternal immune activation induces sex-dependent metabolic, epigenetic and GABAergic trajectories in the hippocampus.

Brain, behavior, and immunity·2026
Same author

Alterations in Metabolites Associated With Umbilical Cord Blood in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Congenital Heart Disease.

Pediatric discovery·2026
Same author

Sex-specific effects of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus on offspring neurodevelopment: persistent hippocampal neurogenesis deficits in female but not male offspring.

Experimental & molecular medicine·2026
Same author

Correction: Inhibition of Wnt Inhibitory Factor 1 Under Hypoxic Condition in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Promoted Angiogenesis in Vitro.

Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)·2026
Same author

Evaluation of histopathologic changes associated with placentation in a cesarean delivery scar.

American journal of obstetrics and gynecology·2026
Same author

Differences between breech and cephalic neonates born after planned cesarean section: a systematic review.

BMC pregnancy and childbirth·2025

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Immunology
  • Enzymology

Background:

  • Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is a key autoantigen in coeliac disease.
  • Coeliac disease is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
  • The role of tTG in placental function and pregnancy is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression, distribution, and activity of tTG in the human placenta.
  • To determine if placental tTG is a potential target for maternal autoantibodies.

Main Methods:

  • Immunochemical techniques (e.g., Western blotting, immunohistochemistry) were used to detect tTG protein.
  • Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to assess tTG mRNA levels.
  • Primary cell cultures (trophoblast, fibroblasts, decidual stromal cells) were utilized for confirmation.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Enzymatic activity was measured using substrate incorporation assays.

    • Main Results:

    • tTG protein and mRNA were detected in placental stromal cells and trophoblast throughout pregnancy, with increased levels in later stages.
    • Decidual cells were also identified as a source of tTG.
    • tTG activity was associated with the fibroblast extracellular matrix and the syncytial microvillous membrane (MVM).
    • Several tTG target polypeptides were identified on the MVM.

    Conclusions:

    • tTG is expressed and active in the human placenta, particularly in the MVM.
    • Placental tTG represents a potential target for maternal autoantibodies, which could contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes in conditions like coeliac disease.