title: Immunodetection of living trophoblast.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human chorionic gonadotropin, the pregnancy hormone, is synthesized by trophoblast cells which make up the placenta.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether antibody to hCG can be used to specifically detect living trophoblast in vitro by binding to the external membrane.
  
  
  METHODS
  Trophoblast was isolated from fresh placentas of women undergoing termination of pregnancy in the first trimester and incubated with monoclonal antibody to hCG. Anti-mouse immunoglobulin G with a fluorescent marker was then added.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Syncytiotrophoblast stained positive on the external surface of the cell, while controls of leukocytes, endometrial cells and hepatocytes were negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hCG monoclonal antibody may be used to specifically detect hCG on the surface of living trophoblast in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Poriya Government Hospital, Tiberias, Israel.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peleg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peleg
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shalev
mesh_terms: D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000378:metabolism; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000032:analysis; D003470:Culture Media; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D003470:Culture Media