A novel in vitro co-culture system for the study of maternal decidual endothelial cell-trophoblast interactions in human pregnancy.
Investigation of the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia (characterised by insufficient invasion of the intrauterine vasculature by cytotrophoblasts) has been hampered by the absence of a suitable animal model, and ethical constraints in clinical studies. We have developed a novel in vitro human cell co-culture system allowing direct assessment of cytotrophoblast invasion of a decidual endothelial cell monolayer from the abluminal side, as occurs in vivo. This model will facilitate detection, at the cellular level, of abnormal endothelial cell-trophoblast functional interactions in pre-eclampsia and other pregnancy disorders with abnormal placentation.
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Department of Renal Medicine, Sydney University at Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia.
Campbell
S
S
Ilkovski
B
B
Sinosich
M J
MJ
Jackson
C
C
D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D003656:Decidua / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000473:pathology*
D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate