Electron-microscopic immunolabelling of vasoactive substances in human umbilical endothelial cells and their actions in early and late pregnancy

Cell and Tissue Research
A J SextonG Burnstock

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 microM) caused sustained concentration-dependent contractions in all vessels from early and late pregnancy. Histamine (0.1 microM-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 pregnan...Continue Reading

Citations

May 7, 2002·Life Sciences·Carl A GruetterJohn L Szarek
Apr 27, 2005·Biology of the Cell·Antonio P SilvaEric Grouzmann
May 18, 2001·Developmental Dynamics : an Official Publication of the American Association of Anatomists·K KarlstedtP Panula

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