Abstract

The expression of purinergic P2Y receptors (P2YRs) along the cord, superficial chorionic vessels and cotyledons of the human placenta was analysed and functional assays were performed to determine their vasomotor activity. Immunoblots for the P2Y1R and P2Y2 revealed a 6- to 8-fold increase in receptor expression from the cord to the chorionic or cotyledon vessels. In the cord and chorionic vessels the receptor distribution was mainly in the smooth muscle, whereas in the cotyledon vessels these receptors were equally distributed between the endothelium and smooth muscle cells. An exception was the P2Y2R at the umbilical artery, which was distributed as in the cotyledon. mRNA coding for the P2Y1R and P2Y2R were detected by RT-PCR and the mRNA coding for the P2Y4R, P2Y6R and P2Y11R was also identified. Application of 2-MeSADP and uridine triphosphate (UTP), preferential P2Y1R and P2Y2R ligands, respectively, resulted in contraction of isolated rings from umbilical and chorionic vessels. The vasoconstriction was blocked in a concentration-dependent manner by 10-100 nM indomethacin or 10 nM GR32191, suggesting the involvement of thromboxane receptors. MRS 2179, a selective P2Y2R antagonist, reduced the 2-MeSADP- but not the UTP-evoked contractions. Perfusion of cotyledons with 2-MeSADP or UTP evoked concentration-dependent reductions in perfusion pressure mediated by the NO-cGMP pathway. Blockade of NO synthase abolished the vasodilatation and the rise in luminal NO elicited by either agonist. MRS 2179 antagonized the dilatation and rise in luminal NO evoked by 2-MeSADP but not by UTP. In summary, P2Y1R and P2Y2 R are unevenly distributed along the human placental vascular tree; both receptors are coupled to different signalling pathways in the cord/ chorionic vessels versus the cotyledon leading to opposing vasomotor responses. © 2006 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2006 The Physiological Society.