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Serotonin homeostasis in the materno-foetal interface at term: Role of transporters (SERT/SLC6A4 and OCT3/SLC22A3) and monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) in uptake and degradation of serotonin by human and rat term placenta.

Rona KarahodaHana HorackovaPetr KastnerAndreas MatthiosLukas CervenyRadim KučeraMarian KacerovskyJurjen Duintjer TebbensAlexandre BonninCilia AbadFrantisek Staud
Published in: Acta physiologica (Oxford, England) (2020)
We demonstrate that OCT3, localized on the foetus-facing membrane of syncytiotrophoblast, is an essential component of foeto-placental homeostasis of serotonin. Together with serotonin degrading enzyme, monoamine oxidase-A, this offers a protective mechanism against local vasoconstriction effects of serotonin in the placenta. However, this system may be compromised by OCT3 inhibitory molecules, such as glucocorticoids or antidepressants. Our findings open new avenues to explore previously unsuspected/unexplained complications during pregnancy including prenatal glucocorticoid excess and pharmacotherapeutic risks of treating pregnant women with OCT3 inhibitors.
Keyphrases
  • optical coherence tomography
  • diabetic retinopathy
  • preterm infants
  • pregnant women
  • gestational age
  • endothelial cells
  • optic nerve
  • risk factors
  • oxidative stress
  • minimally invasive
  • risk assessment
  • preterm birth