Contribution of aquaporins in the transamniotic water flux.

We explored the contribution of each aquaporin (AQP) expressed in human amnion in the transcellular water flux across the human amnion. Human amnion was placed between two lucite chambers and net water transport (Jw) was recorded by applying a hydrostatic (7 cm HO) and an osmotic (40 mOsm PEG 8000) pressure gradients. The hydrostatic (Phydr) and osmotic (POsm) permeabilities were calculated before and after the blocking of AQPs.

Osmotic stress induces apoptosis in extravillous trophoblast cells. Role of TRPV-1.

In different tissues hyperosmolarity induces cell differentiation. Nevertheless an exacerbated hyperosmolar stress alters the normal cellular development. The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV-1) is a non-selective cation channel that is activated by hyperosmolarity and participates in many cellular processes.