Electron-microscopic immunolabelling of vasoactive substances in human umbilical endothelial cells and their actions in early and late pregnancy |
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Authors: | A J Sexton A Loesch M Turmaine S Miah G Burnstock |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology and Centre for Neuroscience, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK, GB |
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Abstract: | Human umbilical vessels are devoid of nerves and therefore endothelial cells may play an important role in the control of
feto-placental blood flow. The pharmacological effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine and endothelin were examined in umbilical
arteries and veins from legal terminations (gestational age 8–17 weeks, n=12) and normal term vaginal deliveries (gestational age 38–41, n=12). Immunocytochemistry of human unbilical vessels indicated that 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine and endothelin were localised
in subpopulations of endothelial cells of both artery and vein in late, but not early, pregnancy. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (10
nM–30 μM) caused sustained concentration-dependent contractions in all vessels from early and late pregnancy. Histamine (0.1
μM–30 mM) also caused sustained contractions in all vessels from late pregnancy but only 27% of arteries and 41% of veins
from early pregnancy responded. Endothelin (10 pM–30 nM) caused slow long-lasting contractions in all vessels from early and
late pregnancy. Atrial natriuretic peptide and neuropeptide Y did not alter vascular tone. The endothelium may thus play an
autocrine/paracrine role, by synthesizing and releasing the above reactive substances in late pregnancy to influence feto-placental
blood flow.
Received: 23 May 1995 / Accepted: 13 October 1995 |
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Keywords: | : Umbilical artery Umbilical vein Endothelium 5-Hydroxytryptamine Histamine Endothelin Human |
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