Presence of D2-dopamine receptors in human term placenta

Developmental expression of catecholamine system in the human placenta and rat fetoplacental unit

Catecholamines norepinephrine and dopamine have been implicated in numerous physiological processes within the central nervous system. Emerging evidence has highlighted the importance of tightly regulated monoamine levels for placental functions and fetal development. However, the complexities of synthesis, release, and regulation of catecholamines in the fetoplacental unit have not been fully unraveled. In this study, we investigated the expression of enzymes and transporters involved in synthesis, degradation, and transport of norepinephrine and dopamine in the human placenta and rat fetoplacental unit. Quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses were performed in early-to-late gestation in humans (first trimester vs. term placenta) and mid-to-late gestation in rats (placenta and fetal brain, intestines, liver, lungs, and heart). In addition, we analyzed the gene expression patterns in isolated primary trophoblast cells from the human placenta and placenta-derived cell lines (HRP-1, BeWo, JEG-3). In both human and rat placentas, the study identifies the presence of only PNMT, COMT, and NET at the mRNA and protein levels, with the expression of PNMT and NET showing gestational age dependency. On the other hand, rat fetal tissues consistently express the catecholamine pathway genes, revealing distinct developmental expression patterns. Lastly, we report significant transcriptional profile variations in different placental cell models, emphasizing the importance of careful model selection for catecholamine metabolism/transport studies. Collectively, integrating findings from humans and rats enhances our understanding of the dynamic regulatory mechanisms that underlie catecholamine dynamics during pregnancy. We identified similar patterns in both species across gestation, suggesting conserved molecular mechanisms and potentially shedding light on shared biological processes influencing placental development.

Functional characterization of dopamine and norepinephrine transport across the apical and basal plasma membranes of the human placental syncytiotrophoblast

The human placenta represents a unique non-neuronal site of monoamine transporter expression, with pathophysiological relevance during the prenatal period. Monoamines (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine) are crucial neuromodulators for proper placenta functions and fetal development, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and neuronal migration. Accumulating evidence suggests that even a transient disruption of monoamine balance during gestation may lead to permanent changes in the fetal brain structures and functions, projecting into adulthood. Nonetheless, little is known about the transfer of dopamine and norepinephrine across the placental syncytiotrophoblast. Employing the method of isolated membranes from the human term placenta, here we delineate the transport mechanisms involved in dopamine and norepinephrine passage across the apical microvillous (MVM) and basal membranes. We show that the placental uptake of dopamine and norepinephrine across the mother-facing MVM is mediated via the high-affinity and low-capacity serotonin (SERT/SLC6A4) and norepinephrine (NET/SLC6A2) transporters. In the fetus-facing basal membrane, however, the placental uptake of both monoamines is controlled by the organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3/SLC22A3). Our findings thus provide insights into physiological aspects of dopamine and norepinephrine transport across both the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta. As monoamine transporters represent targets for several neuroactive drugs such as antidepressants, our findings are pharmacologically relevant to ensure the safety of drug use during pregnancy.

Effect of atypical antipsychotics on fetal growth: is the placenta involved?

There is currently considerable uncertainty regarding prescribing practices for pregnant women with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders. The physician and the mother have to balance the risks of untreated psychiatric illness against the potential fetal toxicity associated with pharmacological exposure. This is especially true for women taking atypical antipsychotics. Although these drugs have limited evidence for teratological risk, there are reports of altered fetal growth, both increased and decreased, with maternal atypical antipsychotic use. These effects may be mediated through changes in the maternal metabolism which in turn impacts placental function. However, the presence of receptors targeted by atypical antipsychotics in cell lineages present in the placenta suggests that these drugs can also have direct effects on placental function and development. The signaling pathways involved in linking the effects of atypical antipsychotics to placental dysfunction, ultimately resulting in altered fetal growth, remain elusive. This paper focuses on some possible pathways which may link atypical antipsychotics to placental dysfunction.

Phosphorylation of the Norepinephrine Transporter at Threonine 258 and Serine 259 Is Linked to Protein Kinase C-mediated Transporter Internalization

Recently, we have demonstrated the phosphorylation- and lipid raft-mediated internalization of the native norepinephrine transporter (NET) following protein kinase C (PKC) activation (Jayanthi, L. D., Samuvel, D. J., and Ramamoorthy, S. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 19315-19326). Here we tested an hypothesis that PKC-mediated phosphorylation of NET is required for transporter internalization. Phosphoamino acid analysis of 32P-labeled native NETs from rat placental trophoblasts and heterologously expressed wild type human NET (WT-hNET) from human placental trophoblast cells revealed that the phorbol ester (beta-PMA)-induced phosphorylation of NET occurs on serine and threonine residues. Beta-PMA treatment inhibited NE transport, reduced plasma membrane hNET levels, and stimulated hNET phosphorylation in human placental trophoblast cells expressing the WT-hNET. Substance P-mediated activation of the G alpha(q)-coupled human neurokinin 1 (hNK-1) receptor coexpressed with the WT-hNET produced effects similar to beta-PMA via PKC stimulation. In striking contrast, an hNET double mutant harboring T258A and S259A failed to show NE uptake inhibition and plasma membrane redistribution by beta-PMA or SP. Most interestingly, the plasma membrane insertion of the WT-hNET and hNET double mutant were not affected by beta-PMA. Although the WT-hNET showed increased endocytosis and redistribution from caveolin-rich plasma membrane domains following beta-PMA treatment, the hNET double mutant was completely resistant to these PKC-mediated effects. In addition, the PKC-induced phosphorylation of hNET double mutant was significantly reduced. In the absence of T258A and S259A mutations, alanine substitution of all other potential phosphosites within the hNET did not block PKC-induced phosphorylation and down-regulation. These results suggest that Thr-258 and Ser-259 serve as a PKC-specific phospho-acceptor site and that phosphorylation of this motif is linked to PKC-induced NET internalization.

Circadian expression of Mel1a and PL-II genes in placenta: effects of melatonin on the PL-II gene expression in the rat placenta

In the mammal, melatonin regulates the seasonal and/or circadian rhythm of PRL levels. Since several members of the PRL gene family are expressed during late pregnancy, we investigated the relationship between the expression of placental lactogen (PL)-II-one member of the PRL family- and melatonin, as well as the placental expression of one of the receptors for melatonin, melatonin receptor 1a (Mel(1a())). Herein we provide the first demonstration that Mel(1a) is not only expressed in the rat placenta, but that it is spatially and temporally regulated throughout late pregnancy. In situ hybridization and Northern blot analyses show that Mel(1a) mRNA is localized in the rat placenta on gestational day 19, and is mainly restricted to the spongiotrophoblast and trophoblast giant cells. Interestingly, the junctional zone of the placenta at this time showed the strongest gene expression when the tissue was obtained at 16:00 h (daytime) and showed the least expression when it was obtained at 04:00 h (night-time). In contrast, the labyrinth zone showed the strongest expression in tissue obtained at night and showed the least expression in tissue obtained during the day. PL-II gene expression also exhibited a circadian rhythm but the direction of the fluctuation was exactly opposite to that of the Mel(1a) gene, such that at night the junctional zone had the strongest expression, while the labyrinth zone had the weakest. In vitro treatment of placental tissue with an melatonin agonist, chloromelatonin, greatly decreased PL-II mRNA levels. That Mel(1a) plays a regulatory role in the expression of PL-II in the late-pregnancy rat placenta is strongly suggested by the pattern of its own spatial and temporal expression.

Expression of human placental D2-dopamine receptor during normal and abnormal pregnancies

Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of D2-dopamine binding sites in the human placenta, and that dopamine (DA), via these D2-like receptors, inhibits both basal- and hormone-stimulated secretion of human placental lactogen (hPL) from trophoblastic cells. However, nothing is known about the ontogenesis of this placental D2-dopamine receptor (D2R) during pregnancy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the expression of these receptors throughout gestation in placentae from normal as well as abnormal pregnancies. Western and Northern blot analysis were performed on membrane protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) preparations of human placentae from various weeks of gestation as well as from pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia of hydatidiform mole. The autoradiographs of both proteins and mRNA showed differential expression of placental D2R during normal pregnancy. When the relative levels of D2R proteins were analysed throughout pregnancy, there was a significant but transient decrease of approximately 23 per cent of D2R content at 9-16 weeks of gestation with a return to baseline levels at 17-18 weeks. An increase in mRNA levels began at week 19 of gestation and reached a maximum value at term. During the first half of gestation, the relative levels of D2R mRNA (2.5 kb) showed an inverse pattern of expression when compared to D2R protein content. Specifically, the levels of D2R mRNA increased by approximately 26 per cent between weeks 9 and 16 of pregnancy in comparison with the values observed at 7-8 weeks, and returned to baseline levels at 17-18 weeks of gestation. The D2R relative protein levels subsequently increased from 19 to 30 weeks of gestation, and then remained stable. The autoradiographs of both proteins and mRNA showed significantly decreased expressions in placentae from both pre-eclamptic (approximately 45 per cent inhibition) and molar (approximately 0-70 per cent inhibition) pregnancies. Moreover, there was important variability in the expression of placental D2R from hydatidiform moles. Using immunological and molecular biology techniques, the present study confirms the presence of D2R in human placenta. The variations of placental D2R expression during normal and abnormal pregnancies argue for an important role of DA in human placental function, although this remains to be investigated further.

Dopamine affects the in vitro basal secretion of rat placenta opioids in an opioid and dopamine receptor type-specific manner

Opioid peptides and their receptors are present in the placenta of many species. Dopamine plays an important role in the regulation of opioid release in the nervous system and it may play a similar role in placenta since dopamine receptors are also present in this tissue. The aim of the present work was to examine the effect of dopamine on the basal release of rat placental opioids. The effect of several dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists was tested on the release of immunoreactive beta-endorphin and immunoreactive dynorphin from perfused rat placenta fragments. We found that dopamine and apomorphine stimulated the secretion of immunoreactive beta-endorphin in a dose-dependent manner. The selective D1 dopamine receptor agonist (+/-)-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-(1H)-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol hydrochloride or SKF-38393 reproduced the effect of dopamine while the selective D1 dopamine receptor antagonist R(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl 1,2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1 H-benzazepine hydrochloride or SCH-23390, prevented the dopamine- and SKF-38393-induced increase of immunoreactive beta-endorphin secretion. The selective and potent D2 dopamine receptor agonist (+/-)-2-(N-phenylethyl-N-propyl) amino-5-hydroxytetralin hydrochloride or PPHT had no effect on immunoreactive beta-endorphin. Finally, none of the agonists tested had any effect on the in vitro secretion of placental immunoreactive dynorphin. Our results suggest that dopamine affects the basal release of placental opioids in an opioid and dopamine receptor-specific manner, its effect being different from the effect it exerts on beta-endorphin in the rat neurointermediate pituitary lobe.

Beta-adrenergic regulation of cyclic AMP synthesis in cultured human syncytiotrophoblast

Isolated elements of the beta-adrenergic/adenyl cyclase signal transduction system have been studied previously using purified membranes. We used cultured syncytiotrophoblast cells to identify components of this signalling system and the interactions which regulate syncytial adenyl cyclase. Generation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) was stimulated in these cells by both forskolin and isoproterenol but not by dopamine, adenosine, carbachol or prostaglandin E1. Synthesis was also stimulated by treatment with cholera toxin, indicating the involvement of the G-protein, Gs. Somatostatin inhibited isoproterenol- or forskolin-stimulated cAMP generation, an effect which could be blocked by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin, demonstrating the mediation of somatostatin action by Gi. Furthermore, secretion of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) was increased significantly by isoproterenol while somatostatin blocked the isoproterenol-stimulated release of hCG. These results clearly demonstrate that adenyl cyclase in syncytiotrophoblast is controlled by a stimulatory pathway operating through Gs and inhibitory pathway acting through Gi.

Labelling of D2-dopaminergic and 5-HT2-serotonergic binding sites in human trophoblastic cells using [3H]-spiperone

We previously reported that dopamine (DA) inhibited the release of human placental lactogen (hPL) from human placental cells. We also demonstrated the presence of D2-dopamine receptors in membrane preparations of human term placenta. The aim of the present study was to characterize these D2 receptors on freshly isolated human trophoblastic cells. The binding of [3H]-spiperone to these cells showed a curvilinear Scatchard plot suggesting the presence of two classes of binding sites (Kd1 = 1.26nM; Kd2 = 44.3nM). Competition experiments showed the following inhibitory binding potencies: serotonin-2 (5-HT2) > or = D2 >>> alpha-adrenergic, beta-adrenergic, D1-dopamine, thus suggesting the presence of 5-HT2 binding sites. We have examined this possibility by blocking [3H]-spiperone binding to 5-HT2 receptors in the presence of 50nM ketanserin, a selective antagonist of 5-HT2 sites. Under this condition, the linear Scatchard plot obtained suggested a single population of homogeneous binding sites for [3H]-spiperone with a Kd of 0.55nM. To further characterize placental D2 receptors we conducted binding experiments with [3H]-raclopride, an more selective D2 antagonist. The linear Scatchard plot obtained with this ligand suggested one class of binding sites for [3H]-raclopride (Kd = 6nM) with the following inhibitory potencies: D2 >>> beta-adrenergic >> 5-HT2, D1, alpha-adrenergic. These results suggest an important paracrine function for DA in human placenta and show for the first time that [3H]-spiperone binds putative 5-HT2 receptors in human placenta.

D2-dopamine agonists inhibit adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production in human term trophoblastic cells

We previously reported that dopamine (DA) acted via D2-dopamine receptors on human trophoblastic cells to inhibit basal and hormone-stimulated secretion of human placental lactogen (hPL). We also described that these DA effects were coupled with inhibition of calcium influx. The present study examines the interaction of placental D2-dopamine receptor with adenylate cyclase (AC). Incubations of isolated human term trophoblastic cells with R(-)-propylapomorphine (NPA), (+/-)-PPHT, and bromocriptine (3 different D2 agonists) led to time- and dose-dependent inhibitions of cAMP production as determined by measuring the conversion of [2-3H]-ATP into [2-3H]-cAMP. The maximal inhibition was reached after 15 min of incubation and was 33 +/- 1 (SE) %, 29 +/- 3% and 31 +/- 1% for bromocriptine (10(-5) M), NPA (10(-7) M) and (+/-)-PPHT (10(-8) M) respectively. However, the time- and dose-dependent curves were biphasic with NPA and (+/-)-PPHT and the inhibition of cAMP production was abolished at higher agonist concentrations or after time incubations longer than 15 min. These inhibitions were receptor specific since they were reversed by spiperone and haloperidol, two specific--dopamine antagonist, and by butaclamol (mix D2/D1-dopamine antagonists) but not by alpha- and beta-adrenergic, D1- and D4-dopaminergic, and 5-HT2-serotonergic antagonists. The results reported here suggest that human placental D2 receptors interact with AC to inhibit its activity. Also, bromocriptine seems a better agonist for the characterization of dopaminergic effects on human placenta.