Seo MJ, Lim JH, Kim DH, Bae HR. Loss of Aquaporin-3 in Placenta and Fetal Membranes Induces Growth Restriction in Mice.
Dev Reprod 2018;
22:263-273. [PMID:
30324163 PMCID:
PMC6182233 DOI:
10.12717/dr.2018.22.3.263]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporin (AQP) 3, a facilitated transporter of water and glycerol, expresses in
placenta and fetal membranes, but the detailed localization and function of AQP3
in placenta remain unclear. To elucidate a role of AQP3 in placenta, we defined
the expression and cellular localization of AQP3 in placenta and fetal
membranes, and investigated the structural and functional differences between
wild-type and AQP3 null mice. Gestational sacs were removed during
mid-gestational period and amniotic fluid was aspirated for measurements of
volume and composition. Fetuses with attached placenta and fetal membranes were
weighed and processed for histological assessment. AQP3 strongly expressed in
basolateral membrane of visceral yolk sac cells of fetal membrane, the
syncytiotrophoblasts of the labyrinthine placenta and fetal nucleated red blood
cell membrane. Mice lacking AQP3 did not exhibit a significant defect in
differentiation of trophoblast stem cells and normal placentation. However, AQP3
null fetuses were smaller than their control litter mates in spite of a decrease
in litter size. The total amniotic fluid volume per gestational sac was reduced,
but the amniotic fluid-to-fetal weight ratio was increased in AQP3 null mice
compared with wild-type mice. Glycerol, free fatty acid and triglyceride levels
in amniotic fluid of AQP3 null mice were significantly reduced, whereas lactate
level increased when compared to those of wild-type mice. These results suggest
a role for AQP3 in supplying nutrients from yolk sac and maternal blood to
developing fetus by facilitating transport of glycerol in addition to water, and
its implication for the fetal growth in utero.
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