TPRV-1 expression in human preeclamptic placenta

• TRPV-1 mRNA expression increases in preeclamptic placentas.
• TRPV-1 protein expression decreases in preeclamptic placentas.
• TRPV-1 was detectable at very low levels in trophoblast cells of preeclamptic placentas.
• TRPV-1 decrease expression may correlate with dysfunctional transplacental Ca2+ exchange observed in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder unique to human pregnancy, characterized by abnormal placentation. Although its causes remain unclear, it is known that the expression of several transporters is altered. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV-1) is a nonselective cation channel, present in human placenta. Here, we evaluated the expression of TRPV-1 in preeclamptic placentas. We observed a deregulation in TRPV-1 expression in these placentas which may explain the impaired Ca2+ homeostasis found in preeclampsia.