PMID: 7544332Feb 1, 1995Paper

Isolation and characterisation of a hyaluronan binding protein, hyaluronectin, from human placenta and its colocalisation with hyaluronan

Journal of Anatomy
J M Ponting, S Kumar

Abstract

Hyaluronan (HA) is a major component of the extracellular matrix and is known to influence cell behaviour and to play a role in angiogenesis, morphogenesis and tissue remodelling, although little is known concerning the regulation of these effects. Until now its detection in the placenta has been by indirect methods, which has led to conflicting conclusions as to its distribution and hence its role. Hyaluronectin (HN) is one of a group of proteins with HA binding ability which may regulate the effects of HA. Although nervous tissue HN has been partly characterised with regard to its distribution, structure and biochemistry, little is known about the mesenchymal isoform and its distribution in placenta has not previously been reported. Using specific probes we have characterised the distribution of HA and HN in human placental tissue. At all stages of development studied (8, 10, 12, 30 and 38 wk gestation) HA and HN were unequivocally colocalised, being distributed in the extracellular matrix of stromal tissue of placental villi, chorioallantoic membranes and umbilical cord. Particularly strong immunoreactivity was observed in the villous stroma immediately adjacent to fibrinoid depositions at sites of denudation of the trophobl...Continue Reading

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