Immunocytochemical localization of the human growth hormone variant in the human placenta

Two monoclonal antibodies (Mab 5B4 and K24) were used for the immunocytochemical localization of human GH (hGH) and human placental GH in the human pituitary and placenta. On the basis of prior selection by RIA, Mab 5B4 was known to be directed to the N-terminal of hGH and was able to detect both pituitary and placental hGH, since their primary amino acid sequences are identical in this domain. Mab K24 was directed to an epitope present in hGH, but not in placental hGH, and was able to detect pituitary hGH only; neither the 5B4 or K24 Mab detected human placental lactogen. Five placentas were studied from women at term after elective cesarean section without labor. The cells of the anterior pituitary gland and the syncytiotrophoblast of the placental villi were stained with Mab 5B4, whereas K24 only stained the pituitary cells; results consistent with the RIA screen. Mab 5B4 specifically stained two different cell types in the placental basal plate. Neither antiserum stained any cell in the amniotic or chorionic membranes or the adherent decidua. The results demonstrate that pituitary hGH and placental hGH are expressed uniquely in the pituitary and fetal placenta, respectively. In addition, the placental hGH gene is also expressed in the placental basal plate, a region of mixed fetal and maternal cells.