Intact caveolae are required for proper extravillous trophoblast migration and differentiation.

Caveolae constitute membrane domains critical for the organization and synchronization of different signaling molecules related to numerous cell processes such as cell migration, invasion, and differentiation. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is the main integral membrane protein of these domains. Recently, it was found that a normal expression of aquaporin-3 (AQP3) is required for extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell migration.

The blocking of aquaporin-3 (AQP3) impairs extravillous trophoblast cell migration.

Several aquaporins (AQPs) are expressed in extravillous (EVT) and villous trophoblast cells. Among them, AQP3 is the most abundant AQP expressed in chorionic villi samples from first trimester, followed by AQP1 and AQP9. Although AQP3 expression persists in term placentas, it is significantly decreased in placentas from preeclamptic pregnancies.