Glycosphingolipid profile of the apical pole of human placental capillaries: The relevancy of the observed data to Fabry disease
Abstrakt
Immunohistochemical study performed in a series of full-term placentas and umbilical cords showed uniform distinct staining of the apical membrane of villous capillary endothelial cells for globotriaosylceramide (Gb3Cer), GM1 ganglioside, GM3 ganglioside, cholesterol and caveolin 1. The immunophenotype suggests the presence of caveola-associated raft microdomains.
In situ analysis of glycosphingolipids was paralleled by biochemical analysis and tandem mass spectrometry. The lipid in situ profile of placental villous capillaries was compared with that of endothelial cells of the uteroplacental vessels, umbilical vessels and with that in somatic capillaries.
Gb3Cer expression in the placental blood villous capillaries represents a unique finding which points to specific features of their endothelial apical pole.