SLC11A1 is expressed in the human placenta across multiple gestational ages

• Published in: Placenta (Eastbourne) Vol. 75; pp. 23 - 26
• Main Authors: Perry, Ian D., Krishnan, Lakshmi, Murphy, Shawn P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2019
• Subjects: Cation Transport Proteins - metabolism; Chorionic Villi - metabolism; Female; Gestational Age; Human; Humans; Placenta; Pregnancy; Solute Carrier family 11 member 1 (SLC11A1); Syncytiotrophoblast; Trophoblasts - metabolism; Whole-mount immunofluorescence; Human; antibody; Whole-mount immunofluorescence; Syncytiotrophoblast; extravillous trophoblast; solute carrier family 11 member 1; Pregnancy; reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; Placenta; human chorionic gonadotropin; whole mount immunofluorescence; Solute Carrier family 11 member 1 (SLC11A1); cytokeratin 7
• ISSN: 0143-4004; 1532-3102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.11.009

The human placenta functions as an innate immune barrier to prevent fetal infection. However, the molecular mechanisms accounting for placental resistance to pathogens are currently poorly understood. The solute carrier family 11 member 1 (SLC11A1) is a divalent cation transporter expressed primarily by macrophages and neutrophils that is essential for controlling infections by intracellular pathogens such as Salmonella, Leishmania and Mycobacteria. This report demonstrates that SLC11A1 is expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast of the human placenta at multiple gestational ages. These results suggest that SLC11A1 may play a role in blocking productive placental infections by certain intracellular pathogens. •Solute carrier family 11 member 1 (SLC11A1) is expressed in the human placenta.•SLC11A1 expression is localized to the syncytiotrophoblast at multiple gestational ages.•SLC11A1 may prevent infection of the placenta by certain intracellular pathogens.