Presence of corticotropin in human placenta: demonstration of in vitro synthesis
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Updated: Apr 3, 2026

siRNA Transfection and EMSA Analyses on Freshly Isolated Human Villous Cytotrophoblasts
Published on: September 20, 2016
Abstract:
Immunoassayable (I) and bioassayable (B) ACTH activity is present in extracts of extensively washed human placental tissue and dispersed viable trophoblasts (Tr). Similar concentrations (I) (1.7-2.7 ng/g) are present in term placentas from elective cesarian section or vaginal delivery and from plancentas obtained by prostaglandin-induced abortion at 12, 15 and 18 weeks of gestation. Oral dexamethasone (8-12 mg) administered over an 8-48 h period prior to delivery does not significantly alter placental ACTH content. B-ACTH concentrations are 31-40% of I-ACTH. Sephadex G-50 filtration of term placental homogenates demonstrates two I-ACTH peaks, one eluting in the void volume and the other eluting in the region of synthetic hACTH1-39. When Tr are incubated in tissue culture medium, ACTH content of cells and of medium is significantly greater than pre-incubation levels.
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