Functional evidence for oxygen-sensitive voltage-gated potassium channels in human placental vasculature

Hypoxic fetoplacental vasoconstriction (HFPV), involving voltage-gated potassium (K(V)) channels, has been suggested in human placenta; the identity of these channels remains unclear. Using wire myography, chorionic plate blood vessels were exposed to isoform-specific K(V) channel blockers. Dose-response curves (thromboxane mimetic U46619; 0.1-2000 nM) pre- and post-addition of K(V) channel modulator were analysed. Arterial U46619-induced contraction increased with margatoxin and stromatoxin-1, whilst only correolide increased U46619-induced contraction in veins (P < 0.05 two-way ANOVA). Basal tone was unaffected in arteries or veins. These data implicate K(V)1.2 and/or K(V)2.1 and K(V)1.5 in the control of agonist-induced contraction of human placental arteries and veins respectively.