Immunocytochemical localization of a caveolin-1 isoform in human term extra-embryonic membranes using confocal laser scanning microscopy: Implications for the complexity of the materno-fetal junction

This immunochemical, immunocytochemical, histological and ultrastructural s tudy demonstrates the presence of caveolin 1 in a number of locations in te rm human extra-embryonic membranes. Strong expression was observed in fetal blood vessel endothelial cells of chorionic villi (cv) and in cv, amniotic and chorionic plate mesenchymal cells, but weak expression was characteris tic of trophoblast. Expression in the amniotic epithelium indicated a stron ger association with apical as opposed to base-lateral membranes. Strong im munoreactivity in the thin lining layer of the maternal blood space of the basal plate was a surprising finding. Previously defined as trophoblast, we argue that this is at least partly endothelium based on this new histologi cal, ultrastructural and immunocytochemical data. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publish ers Ltd.