Sites of mRNA expression of the cystic fibrosis (CF) and multidrug resistance (MDR1) genes in the human placenta of early pregnancy: No evidence for complementary expression.

The aims of this study were to establish the sites of mRNA expression of both the cystic fibrosis (CF) and multidrug resistance (MDR1) genes in human placental sections from early pregnancy (first, early and mid-second trimesters). Riboprobes specific for each of these two genes were generated and used for in situ hybridization experiments. The results show parallel mRNA expression for the CF and MDR1 genes, with the signal detected in the syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast cells of the placental villi. Other cell types within the villous core were negative. Similar results were obtained at all stages of pregnancy studied. Copyright 1999 W.B. Saunders Company Ltd.