Regulation of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3 and aquaporin 9 under leptin in human placenta

DIETRICH VALERIA; PÉREZ PÉREZ ANTONIO; CARMONA A; SÁNCHEZ-MARGALET VICTOR; DAMIANO ALICIA E

Foz de Iguazu

Simposio; V LatinAmerican Symposium on Maternal-Fetal Interaction & Placenta; 2013

Placenta Association of the Americas- Grupo Latinoamericano de placenta

Background. In the last decade, leptin emerged in fetoplacental physi- ology where its levels increase among pregnancy and hyperleptinemia is present in preeclampsia. We previously reported that aquaporin 9 (AQP9) and Naþ/Hþ exchanger 3 (NHE-3) are altered in preeclamptic placentas. However, the role of leptin in placental transport is unknown. Objective. Our aim is to study the expression and localization of NHE-3 and AQP9 in human placenta under leptin stimulation and to evaluate the possible mechanism pathways underneath. Methodology. Explants from human normal term placenta (approved ethical committee) were incubated under different concentrations of leptin and in the presence of PI3K or MAPK inhibitors. Real Time PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry were performed. Results. We observed that physiological maternal levels of leptin induced the expression of both NHE-3 and AQP9. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that leptin may regulate the expression of NHE-3 and AQP9 in normal placenta. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of leptin in placental transport.