Expression and function of potassium channels in the human placental vasculature.

In the placental vasculature, where oxygenation may be an important regulator of vascular reactivity, there is a paucity of data on the expression of potassium (K) channels, which are important mediators of vascular smooth muscle tone. We therefore addressed the expression and function of several K channel subtypes in human placentas. The expression of voltage-gated (Kv)2.

The involvement of Rho-associated kinases in agonist-dependent contractions of human maternal and placental arteries at term gestation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the involvement of rho kinase (ROK) in agonist-dependent contraction of omental, myometrial, and placental arteries of pregnant women at term.

Study Design: Wire myography was used to assess if contractions of intact or alpha-toxin-permeabilized arteries obtained from women at elective cesarean section were influenced by the ROK inhibitor Y-27632.

Results: Western blotting indicated the presence of ROKalpha in each of the 3 tissue types.