Review: Potassium channels in the human fetoplacental vasculature

Despite their fundamental importance for normal cellular function, potassium (K) channels have been poorly studied in placental vascular tissues. This lack of experimental focus may relate to the fact that, as yet, no pregnancy complications have been directly attributable to a specific “channelopathy”. K channel activity is central to normal cellular function. Vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells within the fetoplacental circulation would be expected to be heavily influenced by the behaviour of K channels, as has been well-documented in other vascular beds. In this review, we summarise current understanding of K channel expression and activity in fetoplacental vasculature in normal and complicated pregnancies.