Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

In Vitro Culture of Epithelial Cells from Different Anatomical Regions of the Human Amniotic Membrane
Published on: November 28, 2019
[Expression of aquaporin 1 in human placenta and fetal membranes]
Hui-shu Liu1, Xiao-fei Song, Rong-zeng Hao
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510150, China. huishuliu@ hotmail.com
Objective:
To detect aquaporin1 (AQP1) expression in normal human placenta and fetal membranes.
Methods:
Human placenta and fetal membrane specimens were collected from 5 pregnant women with intact membranes undergoing elective cesarean sections at term. Expression and localization of AQP1 was detected by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.
Results:
AQP1 mRNA was detected in the placenta and fetal membranes by RT-PCR, and Western blotting also yielded positive results for the specimens, showing a specific band around 28 kD. Immunohistochemical staining showed AQP1 expression in the vascular endothelial cells and syncytiotrophoblasts of the placenta, epithelial cells of the amnion, and cytotrophoblasts of the chorion.
Conclusion:
The presence of AQP1 expression in the placenta and fetal membranes suggest that AQP1 may play an important role in maternal-fetal fluid exchange and amniotic fluid balance.
Related Concept Videos
Aquaporins
Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Development of Blood Vessels
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...
Transcytosis of IgG
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Reabsorption and Secretion in the DCT and Collecting Duct
The distal part of the DCT, along with the...

