Immunodetection of living trophoblast.
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.
Peleg
D
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Poriya Government Hospital, Tiberias, Israel.
Peleg
A
A
Shalev
E
E
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
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D003470:Culture Media