TY - JOUR AU - Barresi, V AU - Grosso, M AU - Bulfamante, G AU - Vitarelli, E AU - Ghioni, MC AU - Barresi, G PY - 2009/06/30 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Caveolin-1 immuno-expression in human fetal tissues during mid and late gestation JF - European Journal of Histochemistry JA - Eur J Histochem VL - 50 IS - 3 SE - Original Papers DO - 10.4081/991 UR - https://www.ejh.it/ejh/article/view/991 SP - 183-190 AB - Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is the main protein in caveolae, and serves as a scaffolding protein onto which many classes of signalling molecules are assembled. Through interaction with protooncogene products, Cav-1 may suppress cell proliferation; or when phosphorylated, may also stimulate cell growth. The aim of this study was to determine Cav-1 expression in human fetal tissues, tissues composed of cells undergoing growth and differentiation processes which require a nurturing environment provided by transmembrane vesicular transport. By using immunohistochemistry, Cav-1 was detected in several fetal tissues during mid- and late gestation (from 14 to 39 weeks). The protein was present in adipocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle fibers and in a number of sites with a pattern of distribution similar to that of the adult. Intriguingly, a positive immunoreaction for Cav-1 was also noticed in tissues, such as the urothelium, which normally do not express this protein in adulthood. This unexpected pattern of Cav-1 in human fetus may predict novel roles for Cav-1 during fetal development. ER -