Immunocytochemical localization of annexins V and VI in human placentae of different gestational ages

The cellular and subcellular localization of annexins V and VI, two members of a superfamily of Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid- and membrane-binding proteins, was investigated in chorionic villi of human placentae of different gestational ages by postembedding immunocytochemistry at the electron microscope level. All cell types of placental villi, i.e., the syncytiotrophoblast, Langhans cells, Hofbauer cells, fibroblasts, and capillary endothelial cells, appeared to express the two proteins, irrespective of the gestational age. By immunogold particle counts, annexin V was observed to be 2-3 times as much abundant as annexin VI. Syncytiotrophoblast cells appeared to contain the largest amounts and Langhans cells appeared to contain the least amounts of annexins V and VI, as judged by immunocytochemistry. The two proteins were found associated with plasma, Golgi, and vacuolar membranes, and with membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum, as well as diffusely in the cytoplasm. Annexin V appeared to be distributed in nearly equal proportions between cell membranes and the cytoplasm in stromal cells and to be about 30% associated with cell membranes in trophoblast cells, whereas annexin VI appeared almost equally distributed between cell membranes and the cytoplasm in trophoblast and stromal cells. Also, annexins V and VI appeared to be more abundant in trophoblast cells than in stromal cells. The present data strongly support the idea that placenta is a preferential site of annexin-regulated activities, and suggest that annexins V and VI are actively involved in the Ca(2+)-dependent regulation of membrane processes in trophoblast cells.