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Determination of the Transport Rate of Xenobiotics and Nanomaterials Across the Placenta using the ex vivo Human Placental Perfusion Model
Published on: June 18, 2013
Drug transport across the placenta
Tamar Eshkoli1, Eyal Sheiner, Zvi Ben-Zvi
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84101, Israel.
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
|February 24, 2011
Summary
Maternal drug transfer across the placenta is common, but placental transporters like P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) can limit fetal exposure. These transporters play a crucial role in protecting the fetus.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Most drugs administered to mothers can cross the placenta.
- Placental transport systems recognize and transport various pharmacological agents.
- Advances in technology have spurred research into human placental transporters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the primary human placental transporters.
- To highlight the roles of key transporters in drug transfer and fetal protection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of placental transporter research.
- Focus on transporters expressed at the syncytiotrophoblast apical and basal surfaces.
Main Results:
- P-glycoprotein (P-gp), Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2), and Multidrug resistance associated protein 2 (MDR2) are expressed on the apical surface, offering protection.
- Serotonin (SERT) and Norepinephrine (NET) transporters are also apically expressed, regulating monoamine levels.
- Multidrug resistance associated protein (MRP) transporters on the basal surface may eliminate fetal metabolic byproducts.
- Organic anion transporters are present on the basolateral surface.
Conclusions:
- Placental transporters are critical in regulating the passage of substances between mother and fetus.
- Specific transporters like P-gp and BCRP provide a protective barrier.
- Understanding these transporters is key for drug safety during pregnancy.
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