TABLE 1

Ontogeny profile of hepatic uptake transporters in humans based on protein expression and mRNA expression levels

Percentages represent expression/activity relative to adult levels.

TransportersOnset of Expression/ActivityAdult Levels ReachedAge-Related Changes (% of Adult) in Expression/Activity after BirthCommentsReferences
GLUT1
 ProteinFetal development (4500%)4 yrDecreased progressivelyMethods: LC-MS/MS mixedMooij et al. (2016); van Groen et al. (2018)
MCT1
 ProteinFetal development (100%)No changesMethods: LC-MS/MSMooij et al. (2016); van Groen et al. (2018)
NTCP
 ProteinFetal development (6%)28 daysIncreased rapidlyReported neonatal values are highly variable. Methods: Western blot (Yanni et al., 2011) and LC-MS/MS (Prasad et al., 2016; van Groen et al., 2018)Yanni et al. (2011); Prasad et al. (2016); van Groen et al. (2018)
 mRNAFetal development (3%)NRNRMethods: RT-PCRChen et al. (2005); Sharma et al. (2013)
OATP1B1
 ProteinFetal development (50%–165%)6–12 yrDecreased slowlyThe results are conflicting, as fetal values of 50%–165% of adult values were reported. Methods: LC-MS/MS (Mooij et al., 2016; Prasad et al., 2016; van Groen et al., 2018) and Western blot (Yanni et al., 2011; Thomson et al., 2016)Yanni et al. (2011); Prasad et al. (2014, 2016); Mooij et al. (2016); Thomson et al. (2016); van Groen et al. (2018)
 mRNAFetal developmentNRInconsistent patternMethods: RT-PCRSharma et al. (2013); Mooij et al. (2014)
OATP1B3
 ProteinFetal development (100%)No changesMethods: LC-MS/MS (Prasad et al., 2014, 2016; van Groen et al., 2018) and Western blot (Yanni et al., 2011; Thomson et al., 2016)Yanni et al. (2011); Prasad et al. (2014, 2016); Thomson et al. (2016); van Groen et al. (2018)
 mRNAFetal development (5%–100%)NR (0–7 yr: 1%)Decreased rapidly, increased rapidlyMethods: RT-PCRSharma et al. (2013); Mooij et al. (2014)
OATP2B1
  ProteinFetal development (100%)No changesMethods: LC-MS/MSPrasad et al. (2014, 2016); Mooij et al. (2016); van Groen et al. (2018)
OCT1
 ProteinFetal development (54%)12–16 yrIncreased slowlyMethods: LC-MS/MS (Prasad et al., 2016; van Groen et al., 2018) and Western blot (Hahn et al., 2017)Prasad et al. (2016); Hahn et al. (2017); van Groen et al. (2018)
OCTN2
 ProteinFetal development (210%)NRDecreased slowlyMethods: LC-MS/MSMooij et al. (2016)

  • GLUT1, glucose transporter 1; MCT1, monocarboxylate transporter 1; NR, not reported; RT-PCR, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.