Expression of the epithelial sodium channel sensitive to amiloride (ENaC) in normal and preeclamptic human placenta.

Aldosterone modulates the activity of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) through changes in its trafficking, membrane expression and open probability. Plasma levels of aldosterone are decreased in preeclampsia. Herein we postulated that if aldosterone regulates ENaC expression then its expression should be decreased in preeclampsia. We found a diminished expression of the three subunits of the ENaC in the membranes of preeclamptic placentas in comparison with the normal ones. Although the role of ENaC in placental tissues is poorly understood, these differences may have consequences for the ion transport involved in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.