Objective: To improve the technology of isolating paired fractions of the maternal-facing membranes (MVM) and fetal-facing plasma membranes (BM) from a term placenta.
Methods: The component of buffer was improved based on Illsley method. The time of Mg2+ -aggregated basal membranes was extended. MVM were obtained from the supernatant of low speed centrifugation while BM were further purified on a sucrose step gradient.
Results: Yield for MVM and BM prepared by the method were (0.55 +/- 10.10) mg/g and (0.54 +/- 0.02) mg/g wet weight of placenta. They were enriched 16.87-fold and 11.19-fold as determined by the membrane marker enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (MVM) and adenylate cyclase (BM).
Conclusion: The modified Illsley method can easily produce both MVM and BM of satisfied quantity from human placenta. It could be applied as a cell molecular model of maternal-fetal exchange interface.