Figure 1

Immunolocalization of CYP27B1 and VDR in placental chorionic villi. Placental sections were incubated with specific antibodies in order to localize important components of the vitamin D endocrine system. CYP27B1 protein was located in the syncytiotrophoblast layer (A). The use of anti N-terminus VDR specific antibody disclosed intense immunostaining in the VSMC (E), whereas a VDR-C-terminus antibody preferentially stained the syncytiotrophoblast layer (C). Figure shows representative pictures of 5 different placentas. Negative controls in the absence of first antibodies are shown in B, D and F. SC = syncytiotrophoblast layer, VSMC = vascular smooth muscle cells, RBC = red blood cells. (200×).