The system A amino acid transporter is encoded by three members of the Slc38 gene family, giving rise to three subtypes: Na+-coupled neutral amino acid transporter (SNAT)1, SNAT2, and SNAT4. SNAT2 is expressed ubiquitously in mammalian tissues; SNAT1 is predominantly expressed in heart, brain, and placenta; and SNAT4 is reported to be expressed solely by the liver. In the placenta, system A has...

Information derived from animal investigations using labelled thtty acid infusions and measurements of the fatty acid concentrations found in the various fractions i n maternal and foetal umbilical artery and venous blood and tissues have shown that the net flux of fatty acid from mother t o foetus across the placenta varies greatly from species to species. In general, in those species with mat...

OBJECTIVE The placenta constitutes a physical and immunological barrier against infectious agents. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential components for the induction of innate immunity responses in different human tissues including the placenta. We investigated the expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 in the decidua and amniotic cells in non-inflamed placenta and placenta with infection. MATERIALS...

Previously, we pointed out the importance of the kynurenine metabolism in fetuses and neonates. We examined localization and developmental change of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity in human placenta. The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase was found localized in syncytiotrophoblast in the placenta. The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity was not detected in placenta in the early stage of gestatio...