Expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, KDR, in human placenta

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a heparin-binding growth factor known to act directly on vascular endothelial cells by promoting cell proliferation and permeability. To date, 3 structurally related cell surface receptors for VEGF, Flt-1, Flt-4 and KDR, have been identified and shown to be human type III receptor tyrosine kinases. The establishment of a vascular network is crucial to the development of the placenta and occurs through both angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. The signals controlling these processes are unclear. Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridisation techniques have localised VEGF in the trophoblast layers and VEGF binding to placental vascular endothelial cells and haemangioblasts has been shown, suggesting a role for VEGF and its receptors in development of the vascular network. In this study we have used specific antibodies to localise KDR and endothelial cells in 1st and 3rd trimester human placenta. The staining showed a colocalisation of KDR with endothelial cells and haemangioblasts. No staining of trophoblast cells was observed, but strong staining of the endothelial cells was seen in the villous stroma adjacent to areas of trophoblast proliferation.