Investigation of the Role of Annexin V in Mouse Placenta: Development of Approaches to Explore the Therapeutic Potential of the Protei

Annexin V is a promising candidate as an anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory agent due to its high affinity for anionic phospholipid surfaces. Its abundance and tissue localization in placental trophoblasts and vascular endothelial cells imply a physiological importance in these tissues. In the first section of this study, I demonstrate that annexin V is critical in maintaining murine placental integrity. I conclude that the protecting role of annexin V appears to be local because I did not detect the protein in culture media of either trophoblasts or endothelial cells. In the next portion of this study, I successfully targeted annexin V to the secretory pathway of mammalian cells and the protein was secreted into the medium. This unnatural targeting of annexin V to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum did not have significant effect on cellular function. Therefore, I concluded that targeting secretion of annexin V in transgenic animals should provide a valuable model for evaluating the therapeutic potentials of annexin V as anticoagulant and/or anti-inflammatory agent.